New Magirus business unit targets civil protection and infrastructure security

by Featured NewsVehicles

Image 3: Fatmir Veselaj (CEO, Magirus Group) and Klaudia Tanner (Federal Minister of Defence, Austria) in discussion during the event “Security Creates Value” in Vienna (© Magirus)

Magirus discusses security responsibility at Vienna event

Senior representatives from politics, industry and defence gathered in Vienna on 28 April 2026 to discuss the role of security as a shared societal responsibility.

Magirus hosted the exclusive evening at the Ernst Fuchs Museum in cooperation with the international business club GPF Global and the Southeast Europe Business Development Network (SEEBDN).

The event focused on the reshaping of the European security landscape due to geopolitical conflicts and the increasing demands for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Klaudia Tanner, the Federal Minister of Defence for Austria, participated in a fireside chat titled Security Creates Value.

Tanner stated: “A neutral state must be able to defend its neutrality.

“Strengthening security in Europe sustainably requires a joint effort from business, industry, politics and society.”

Industrial turning point for Magirus Defense and Security

The company has successfully launched its Magirus Defense & Security business unit at its Radfeld site following the acquisition of Achleitner Fahrzeugbau.

Fatmir Veselaj, CEO of Magirus Group, joined a panel discussion regarding the industrial turning point and how security acts as a driver for innovation.

The new unit positions the organisation as an integrated systems provider for civil protection, disaster response and tactical solutions for security agencies.

Veselaj said: “In critical situations, every second counts.

“That is why everything we develop and produce must focus on the end user – the emergency personnel who rely on our technology in every situation.”

Industry responsibility involves developing solutions that perform in demanding conditions without waiting for political direction.

“We must not wait for political direction,” Veselaj added.

“We need to act now and develop solutions that perform when it matters most.

“Protection must not become a luxury.

“Our responsibility is to deliver the highest quality at a fair price.”

The dialogue in Vienna emphasised that managing current security challenges requires collaboration between all actors to protect society.

Arab States fire simulation examines preparedness at petroleum facility

by Featured NewsMiddle East - Breaking News

Preparedness tested in Radès simulation

A regional workshop on fire risk prevention included a large-scale simulation at a high-risk petroleum facility in Radès from 6 to 8 April.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States said the workshop was organised by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in collaboration with Tunisia’s civil protection authorities.

The exercise tested inter-agency coordination and emergency response systems.

Participants applied preventive planning frameworks in a realistic operational setting.

The simulation was also used to identify gaps in preparedness and response.

Workshop sessions examined fire risk management in complex urban and industrial systems.

Discussions covered artificial intelligence and predictive tools in fire risk analysis.

Participants also reviewed engineering standards, international best practices, emergency management and business continuity planning.

Regional cooperation and preventive planning

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States, the workshop also focused on regional cooperation, innovation and institutional coordination in fire risk management.

Participants discussed smart systems for early detection and monitoring.

They also examined predictive modelling for risk assessment and analysis, alongside systems linking safety, infrastructure and operations.

The workshop highlighted coordination between civil protection authorities, municipalities and infrastructure operators.

Discussions also addressed institutional capacity, training systems and awareness across sectors.

Raidan Alsaqqaf, Deputy Chief of Office at the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Office for Arab States (UNDRR ROAS), said: “What makes this workshop particularly impactful is the strong link between knowledge and practice.

“The simulation in Radès demonstrates that effective disaster risk reduction requires not only planning, but the ability to test systems, coordination, and readiness in real conditions.

“Across the Arab region, there is a growing recognition that investing in prevention, innovation, and coordination is essential to managing increasingly complex risks, particularly in critical infrastructure.”

Participants also called for wider use of preventive planning approaches, broader deployment of innovative technologies and stronger cross-sector coordination.

Euralarm outlines precautionary measures for critical infrastructure facilities

by Featured NewsSafety

Critical infrastructure guidance published by Euralarm

Euralarm has released a new guidance document on precautionary measures for protecting installations and facilities, providing practical direction to strengthen the physical protection and resilience of critical infrastructure across Europe.

The organisation said the document aims to illustrate the importance and basic requirements for physical security and safety, highlighting growing threat levels and the increasing interdependencies between infrastructure sectors.

European societies depend on interconnected systems including energy and water supply, healthcare, transport and communications, where recent incidents and evolving threat scenarios have shown vulnerability to targeted attacks, natural disasters and technical failures.

The guidance frames protection as a shared responsibility involving public authorities, security agencies, private operators and specialised security service providers.

Measures highlighted for physical protection and resilience planning

The document places regular risk analysis and resilience planning at the centre of infrastructure protection, enabling early identification of vulnerabilities, prevention of potential threats and improved recovery from disruptive events.

It outlines the need for an integrated security strategy combining structural, technical and organisational measures.

Physical security solutions such as perimeter protection, access control, intrusion and fire detection and video surveillance are presented alongside cyber security measures as part of a layered approach tailored to individual risk profiles.

This combined model is intended to create comprehensive protection across highly interdependent infrastructure systems.

Link to European resilience requirements

The guidance builds on the objectives of the European Directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities (CER/RCE), which establishes minimum standards for the protection of critical infrastructures.

It highlights cross-sector physical security arrangements designed to complement cyber and IT security, forming a coordinated and integrated framework.

While national implementation timelines may differ, the document states that proactive protective measures are necessary and prudent to mitigate foreseeable risks.

The guidance is intended as a practical reference for policymakers, infrastructure operators and security professionals involved in protecting vital facilities.

Euralarm publishes guidance on protecting Europe’s critical installations

by Featured NewsFire DetectionSafety

Euralarm releases new precautionary guidance

Euralarm has released a new guidance document on precautionary measures for protecting vital installations and facilities across Europe.

The organisation said the document is intended to provide practical direction to strengthen the physical protection and resilience of critical infrastructures.

It described the guidance as a reference for policymakers, infrastructure operators and security professionals involved in protecting vital facilities.

Euralarm said the document aims to illustrate the importance of physical security and safety, along with basic requirements, in the field of critical infrastructure.

Focus on interdependence and shared responsibility

Euralarm said European societies rely on interdependent systems including energy and water supply, healthcare, transport and communications.

It said incidents and evolving threat scenarios have shown how vulnerable vital installations can be to targeted attacks, natural disasters and technical failures.

The guidance states that continued functionality is essential for social stability, public safety and economic security.

Euralarm said the document frames critical infrastructure security as a shared responsibility involving public authorities, security agencies, private operators and specialist security service providers.

Alignment with EU resilience requirements

Euralarm said the guidance builds on the European Directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities (CER/RCE), which establishes minimum standards for protecting critical infrastructures.

It said the document promotes cross-sector physical security arrangements that complement cyber and IT security measures.

The guidance notes that national implementation timelines may vary.

Euralarm said the document calls for proactive protective measures to mitigate risks associated with changing threat scenarios.

Risk analysis and layered protective measures

Euralarm said the guidance places risk analysis and resilience planning at the centre of protection for critical infrastructures.

It said these processes help operators identify vulnerabilities early, prevent threats and improve the ability to withstand and recover from disruptive events.

The guidance sets out an integrative security strategy combining structural, technical and organisational measures.

Euralarm said physical security measures cited in the document include perimeter protection, access control, intrusion and fire detection and video surveillance.

It said the approach is intended to create a protective shield tailored to each infrastructure’s risk profile.

Integrating fire detection into critical infrastructure security

The guidance describes fire detection and fire alarm systems as part of a coordinated security concept for critical infrastructure resilience.

It sets expectations for system design based on documented risk analysis, including special fire detection technologies where point detectors are unsuitable.

Examples included aspirating smoke detection for transformer rooms and critical plant, linear smoke detection for large volumes and targeted monitoring of cabinets, junction boxes and power supply equipment.

The document also addresses system interaction, including interfaces between fire alarms, access control and emergency management systems to support evacuation, containment and coordinated response.

It highlights the need for resilient alarm transmission, redundant power supplies and assured connectivity to alarm receiving centres and emergency responders.

It also links fire detection and alarm systems to cybersecurity considerations where products rely on IP networks, remote access and software-based components.