Prof. Dr. Mattias De Backer explores the GATHERINGS perspective on sustainable technologies

On March 20, 2025, Prof. Dr. Mattias De Backer, one of the GATHERINGS coordinators, took the virtual stage during the final session of the “Securing Public & Worship Spaces” webinar series. His talk, titled “Sustainability in Security Technologies”, focused on one of today’s most pressing questions: how can surveillance and security technologies be designed for long-term sustainability?

Representing the GATHERINGS Project, he addressed the need for security solutions that are not only effective and innovative but also environmentally responsible and socially integrated. The session ran from 10:25 to 10:45 AM CET, and brought fresh insights into how the concept of sustainability can be embedded in the design and deployment of security systems.

What does sustainability mean for security?

In the context of the webinar, “sustainability” was understood as the ability of security solutions to remain viable and relevant over time—solutions that can be continuously integrated into society, re-implemented by other users, and maintained in ethical and community-oriented ways.

Prof. Mattias De Backer explored this idea by discussing:

• How technologies can balance innovation with long-term integration.
• The importance of creating solutions that communities can trust and adopt.
• Ethical considerations in deploying surveillance and security tools.

By bringing the GATHERINGS perspective into the discussion, he reinforced the project’s commitment to advancing security in public and worship spaces while promoting responsible and lasting approaches.

This session was part of a broader program focused on long-term sustainability and policy integration, targeting policy-makers, technology providers, and urban planners working to build secure spaces that stand the test of time.