12 June 2026 – Zanasi & Partners participated in the European Conference on Public Space Security and Protection held in Nicosia, Cyprus, an event dedicated to strengthening prevention, protection and response capabilities against terrorism and CBRN threats affecting Europe’s public spaces. Organised under the EU Internal Security Fund (ISF), the Conference brought together policymakers, public authorities, law enforcement agencies, researchers, practitioners and security experts to exchange operational experiences and reinforce cross-sector cooperation on emerging security challenges.

A distinctive element of the event was the convergence of two European initiatives addressing complementary dimensions of public space protection:
– the VIRTUOUS Project, focused on safeguarding places of worship through risk assessment, preparedness and interfaith cooperation, and
– the UNICOPS project, dedicated to strengthening CBRNE protection in higher education environments.

The Conference gathered more than 60 European organisations and stakeholders and provided a platform for expert panel discussions, operational insights, and Table-Top exercises. During the Panel Discussion, Zanasi & Partners contributed by presenting behavioural patterns, attack dynamics and current challenges related to anti-terrorism prevention. Particular attention was dedicated to the increasing exposure of soft targets and public spaces, emerging trends in lone-actor violence, CBRN threats and the growing role of artificial intelligence in accelerating radicalisation processes and influencing threat evolution.

The discussion also explored how technological developments, changing attack modalities and hybrid threat environments require more adaptive prevention strategies and stronger coordination mechanisms among security actors. Building on experiences and lessons emerging from European projects, including VIRTUOUS, the exchange reinforced the need to combine research findings, operational knowledge and stakeholder engagement to improve preparedness and long-term resilience.

The event involved representatives from several national and international institutions, including the Cyprus Police Academy, the Special Antiterrorist Squad, the Crime Prevention Unit, the Ministries of Health, Interior and Culture, Social Welfare Services, Cyprus Civil Defence, and diplomatic representatives from multiple countries.
Through its participation, Zanasi & Partners reaffirmed its commitment to supporting preventive approaches to counter-terrorism, prevention of radicalisation and the protection of public spaces across Europe.