The Association of Security Technology Businesses (Gesellschaft der Sicherheitstechnischen Wirtschaft – GSW) is a cluster composed mainly of SMEs and research institutes within the North Rhine-Westphalia region. Around 30% of its activities are related to dual use and defence, with a focus on advanced materials, cybersecurity, electronics, energy and the land sector.
GSW actively supports defence and dual use technologies and services with a strategy geared to four “Secure Societies” themes within the EU Horizon 2020 research programme: law enforcement and defence; disaster prevention and relief; IT/cyber; and natural resources and energy. Its strategy is also aligned with the EU smart specialisation objectives for the fields of defence and dual use.
GSW has links to other defence-related organisations or regions across the EU, though most of its co-operation takes place with EDEN, the Defense, Safety and Security Cluster, based in Lyon.