Since 2019, the GRIDS Programme linked capacity building training, state-of-the-art targeting tools and Regional Technical Officer (RTO) facilitated intelligence exchange has directly contributed to the dismantling of numerous organized crime groups at their source. At the core of the GRIDS Programme is its Cyber-Communications Centre (GC3) providing 24/7 access to the IONICS suite of operational tools. This proposal builds on the multi-agency fusion centre model, with scalable IONICS communication system, GRIDS Intelligence HD, GRIDS Targeting Assist (GTA), Pre-Flight Incident Notification Gateway (PING), E-Learning Individual Training Environment (ELITE) and the Scanning of Novel Opioids on Online Platforms (SNOOP) targeting platforms for national and international enforcement focal points, enhancing their capacity that stop synthetic drugs, dangerous NPS, fentanyl and related chemical trafficking.
In mid-2022, the GRIDS programme set up the GRIDS Cyber-Communications Centre (GC3) in Vienna, Austria to support counter trafficking activities. GC3 plays a critical role integrating data streams from an array of systems including IONICS, SNOOP, open-source and other data. GC3 visualization of multiple sources facilitates the real-time analysis and interpretation of data, enabling GRIDS analysts to better support law enforcement counterparts. Since the establishment of the GC3, the number of developed intelligence packages identifying sources of trafficking have almost double from 58 in 2022, to 105 intelligence packages sent in 2023.
- Establish two new multi-agency fusion Centres with 24/7 access to INCB systems and expand capacity in two existing multi-agency fusion Centres, based on the GRIDS Cyber Communications Centres (GC3), located at select national enforcement agencies.
- Provide 24/7 access to IONICS suite of tools including its secure communication system, GRIDS Intelligence HD, GRIDS Targeting Assist (GTA), Pre-Flight Incident Notification Gateway (PING), E-Learning Individual Training Environment (ELITE) and the Scanning of Novel Opioids on Online Platforms (SNOOP).
- Developing materials and training (4 trainings) on operating multi-agency fusion cyber communications centres, real-time analysis of integrated data streams and INCB systems.
- Assessing feasibility of developing national targeting systems, integrating existing national systems and data streams, using GRIDS targeting infrastructure within established Cyber Communications Centres.
- Utilizing multi-agency fusion Centres to support INCB special international operations and develop special alerts, notices and intelligence packages to deny, disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups exploiting online services (1 operation; 100 alerts/ intel packages/queries annually).
- Detect, deny, disrupt and dismantle the source of trafficking of dangerous synthetic drugs INCB lists as having no known legitimate uses
- Establish two new multi-agency fusion Centres with 24/7 access to IONICS suite of tools including its secure communication system, GRIDS Intelligence HD, GRIDS Targeting Assist (GTA), Pre-Flight Incident Notification Gateway (PING), E-Learning Individual Training Environment (ELITE) and the Scanning of Novel Opioids on Online Platforms (SNOOP).
- Ensure use of IONICS bulk exchange communications feature by locations.
- Train (x4) on operating multi-agency fusion cyber communications centres, real-time analysis of integrated data streams and INCB systems.
- Assessing feasibility of developing national targeting systems (2x), integrating existing national systems and data streams, using GRIDS targeting infrastructure within established Cyber Communications Centres.
- Utilizing multi-agency fusion Centres to support INCB special international operations and develop special alerts, notices and intelligence packages to deny, disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups exploiting online services (1 operation; 100 alerts/ intel packages/queries annually).
- Establish two new multi-agency fusion Centres with 24/7 access to IONICS suite of tools.
- Train (x4) on operating multi-agency fusion cyber communications centres, real-time analysis of integrated data streams and INCB systems.
- Assessing feasibility of developing national targeting systems (2x), integrating existing national systems and data streams, using GRIDS targeting infrastructure within established Cyber Communications Centres.
- Utilizing multi-agency fusion Centres to support INCB special international operations and develop special alerts, notices and intelligence packages to deny, disrupt and dismantle organized crime groups exploiting online services (1 operation; 100 alerts/ intel packages/queries annually).
Current State Participants
In 2024, GRIDS Programme is establishing Cyber-Communications Centre with focal points in three other countries following the GC3 model.
Matthew [dot] Nice [at] un [dot] org (Matthew[dot]Nice[at]un[dot]org) Manager, GRIDS Programme HQ | Global OPIOIDS Project Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
