Following the widespread media coverage of our recent report on the hostile use of civilian drones by non-state actors, our findings are beginning to spur political debate. On 13 January, Paul Flynn MP wrote to the Department of Energy and Climate Change to ask it to review security at nuclear power stations in light of our report. Then on the 19 January, the House of Lords debated the issues raised in our report. The debate was reported on by The Sun, and our report continues to be covered widely by the tech and defence industry press in particular.
Category: Blog
So, how did we do? An evaluation of the last three years of Open Briefing
Open Briefing publishes clear objectives and targets to help drive our development and provide concrete evidence by which we can be held to account by funders and others. During 2012-15, we had 10 objectives covering impact, influence and development. We have now reviewed our progress against these objectives and published an evaluation of our activity over the last three years. In short, we surpassed the target in half of our objectives over 2012-15 and we achieved over 50% of the target for all bar one of the remaining five objectives.
Open Briefing publishes plan for next three years
We have published our project proposal and budget for 2016-19, setting out our ambitious plans for the next three years. In addition to expanding the activities of our existing groundbreaking intelligence unit and policy-orientated think tank, we are also announcing the launch of exciting new security and training units - further increasing our ability to keep civil society actors and concerned citizens safe and informed. However, we can only continue this work with your support; so, please consider making a donation if you are able to do so.
Open Briefing in the news
On 11 January 2016, the Remote Control project published a groundbreaking new report from Open Briefing on the potential hostile use of civilian drones. The report was widely covered in the news media, including by the Guardian, Daily Mail, Express and BBC, as well as in the technology press, including Wired and Tech Insider. Open Briefing analysts also gave several interviews to TV and radio news programmes, including RT.
Happy holiday season
This year has been an incredibly busy 12 months for Open Briefing. We have big plans for 2016 that will help us do even more to fulfil our mission to keep those striving to make the world a better place safe and informed. But we can only achieve these things with your help. So, please consider making a donation to Open Briefing this holiday season.
New humanitarian security consultant joins Open Briefing
Open Briefing is delighted to announce that Chris Cushing has joined us as our new humanitarian security consultant. Chris has directed emergency humanitarian operations in 17 wars and two disasters. He is a former officer in the Canadian Armed Forces and has experience with foreign intelligence agencies. He is currently an associate faculty member of the Post-war Reconstruction and Development Unit at the University of York.
Open Briefing launches new series of monthly intelligence briefings on UK actions against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
As MPs prepare to vote on extending UK military action against Islamic State from Iraq to Syria, Open Briefing has launched a new series of monthly intelligence briefings on UK actions in the two countries. These briefings will use the latest open source intelligence in order to identify British military actions against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and analyse the military and political developments behind them. The briefings are published in order to inform debate on the issue and to ensure any military action is accountable.
Update on Open Briefing – it’s been a busy summer!
The Open Briefing team have had a busy summer developing work plans and budgets. We have also been completing some major projects, including an intelligence briefing on the hostile use of drones by non-state actors against British targets, and developing some exciting new initiatives for the next 12 months, including a unique new Open Briefing security division to provide risk assessments, training and security for aid workers and human rights defenders. Big things are happening at Open Briefing.