Security data project to combat terrorism

The government is developing an IT project to pull together intelligence data from security agencies to help counter terrorism, Computing can reveal.

The multimillion pound Scope programme is being run by the Cabinet Office Intelligence and Security Secretariat.

The top-secret project will develop mechanisms for sharing information between nine government departments and agencies, including MI5 and MI6.

Potential technology suppliers were given the first briefing earlier this month.

The government asked interested companies to respond to a questionnaire, but only after signing a secrecy agreement.

The next stage of the process will be in June when the deadline for returning questionnaires expires.

All suppliers that go any further will have to apply for security clearance.

Normally, public sector contracts of any significant value must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Community (Ojec).

But Scope is considered too sensitive, so the process will not be publicly advertised.

The Scope programme is one of a series of technology projects developed to address the increased terrorist threat since the 11 September attacks in the US.

The government's response has emphasised the need to guarantee identity, especially through the use of more fraud-proof biometric data such as iris scans or fingerprints.

Initiatives include entitlement cards, systems to identify asylum seekers, and improved information sharing.

Home Secretary David Blunkett last week announced plans to introduce legislation in the autumn that will require all adults to register on a national database as part of Home Office plans to keep track of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.

And the Passport Agency business plan published last month included proposals to introduce biometric information on passports from 2004.

The Cabinet Office spokeswoman told Computing it would not comment on security and intelligence matters.