With its National Research Development Programme KIRAS Austria is the first European country that has launched a promotion initiative for security research. Its name originates from ancient Greek and reflects a combination of the words "kirkos" (circle) and "asphaleia" (security). The circle is representing the holistic concept behind as in KIRAS all disciplines and dimensions are to be included.

Already in the conception phase in the year 2005 it was the aim of KIRAS to set new impulses for innovative new technologies and to generate knowledge to be able to guarantee the public security of tomorrow with the help of research and development. The Austrian Security Research Programme supports national research, because the results contribute to increase security as a sustainable guarantee of a high standard of living and opportunities for development for all members of society. A special aspect here is the integration of the humanities, social sciences and cultural studies (HSC) that already scrutinize the possible effects on society and the basic rights of the citizens already in the planning phase of every project.

Although KIRAS is bound to the political research guidelines like the creation of excellence and technology, the programme at the same time tries to do justice to the highly sensitive political topic of security research with all its security-, socio- political and economic aspects. The basis for this approach is the integration of all relevant groups: meaning that all relevant companies and institutions in the fields of research and development, Austrian businesses and the political executives and consumers are integrated and brought together.

Since KIRAS is obliged to security policy, not only the needs of the security-politically relevant institutions for the specification of new bidding focuses are specified again and again but the public consumers are mandatorily involved into every R&D project.

Thus not only the security-political specifications are taken into account, but it is also ensured that research is done according to the market's needs. There is no market in the traditional sense of the word, because the market for security relevant products and services is characterised by the dominance if not even monopoly of public purchasing ("public good security").

With the help of research oriented at the required needs, future marketable technological products and services are developed and research is not just done for research's sake.

Thus with the employed means also comprehensible and measureable economic effects, like the creation and securing of jobs, are obtained and the creation of added value is ensured. This makes sure in the end that public money is used in an efficient and economic way.

Contact:

Staff Group for Technology Transfer and Security Research

Renngasse 5
1010 Vienna

Dr. Ralph Hammer
phone: +43 (1) 71162 652109
fax: +43 (1) 71162 653130
e-mail:  ralph.hammer@bmvit.gv.at

Michael Brugger
phone: +43 (1) 71162 653126
fax: +43 (1) 71162 653130
e-mail:  michael.brugger@bmvit.gv.at

• AIS - Security Research - In the middle of conflicting priorities (pdf 1,5 MB) ~
  http://www.bmvit.gv.at /en /innovation /download /ai_sifo_en_1.pdf
• AIS - Security Research - Science leads to Security (pdf 1,1 MB) ~
  http://www.bmvit.gv.at /en /innovation /download /ai_sifo_en_2.pdf

• www.kiras.at ~
  http://www.kiras.at/