BEHOLDER Project
International Union of Railways
Who we are
Union Internationale des Chemins de fer / International Union of Railways (UIC), the worldwide organisation for the promotion of rail transport at a global level and collaborative development of the railway system, was founded in 1922 and today counts over 200 members from all five continents. As far as security is concerned, the UIC Security Platform brings together security experts from UIC members and develops, analyzes and creates recommendations to address rail security challenges.
Reason for joining BEHOLDER
Due to their importance to the economy and communities, railways are sometimes targeted by malicious actors. UIC joined BEHOLDER to improve the protection of trains and stations against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRN-E) threats, thereby increasing the security and resilience of the sector.
Our Role in the project
UIC represents rail end users from a neutral position and brings technical expertise in the rail sector. UIC contributes significantly to the definition of BEHOLDER requirements, use cases, scenarios and the training curriculum. UIC also leads two key tasks: Developing the methodology for running and evaluating pilot demonstrations and Demonstrating BEHOLDER tools in two pilots taking place in real rail environments.
Collaboration
UIC works closely with all BEHOLDER partners, ensuring the project outputs are aligned with the needs of the rail sector.
Expected project outcome
Thanks to BEHOLDER, rail environments will be better protected from CBRN-E threats.
Future vision
One of the main goals of the UIC Security Platform is to address a variety of threats and develop innovative solutions on behalf of UIC members. The BEHOLDER project results will directly contribute to this strategic objective.
Other CBRN-E related projects
UIC has been actively involved in several related EU projects as coordinator: CBRNe4rail (ongoing), IMPRESS and PROACTIVE.
Staff involved
Laura Petersen
Laura is a Senior Advisor at UIC within the Security Department, where she serves as both a researcher and project manager on EU-funded research and innovation projects. For the BEHOLDER project, where she leads the rail pilot activities, she will draw on her previous experience in CBRN-related projects, including PROACTIVE, IMPRESS and CBRNe4rail. Laura also contributes to the development of strategic guidance for the rail sector through the UIC Security Platform. Her areas of expertise include crisis management and critical infrastructure resilience, with a strong focus on security issues affecting the rail sector. She holds two MA degrees: one in Environmental Engineering from the University of Technology of Troyes, France, and another in Strategic Crisis Management from the Advanced Studies Institute of the French Ministry of the Interior (Institut des hautes études du ministère de l’Intérieur – IHEMI).
Grigore Havârneanu
Grigore is the Deputy Director of the Security Department at the International Union of Railways. He is a Transport Psychologist with international experience as researcher and project manager and holds a PhD from the University La Sapienza of Rome. He leads EU-funded project proposals and is the coordinator of the EU PROACTIVE project and EU CBRNe4rail project. Within the UIC Security Platform he manages the Human Factors Working Group which focuses on behavioural aspects of railway security, such as social prevention techniques, behavioural nudges, security by design, public awareness, education and training. All these elements are relevant for BEHOLDER and can inform the project activities.
Laura Petersen
Laura is a Senior Advisor at UIC within the Security Department, where she serves as both a researcher and project manager on EU-funded research and innovation projects. For the BEHOLDER project, where she leads the rail pilot activities, she will draw on her previous experience in CBRN-related projects, including PROACTIVE, IMPRESS and CBRNe4rail. Laura also contributes to the development of strategic guidance for the rail sector through the UIC Security Platform. Her areas of expertise include crisis management and critical infrastructure resilience, with a strong focus on security issues affecting the rail sector. She holds two MA degrees: one in Environmental Engineering from the University of Technology of Troyes, France, and another in Strategic Crisis Management from the Advanced Studies Institute of the French Ministry of the Interior (Institut des hautes études du ministère de l’Intérieur – IHEMI).
Grigore Havârneanu
Grigore is the Deputy Director of the Security Department at the International Union of Railways. He is a Transport Psychologist with international experience as researcher and project manager and holds a PhD from the University La Sapienza of Rome. He leads EU-funded project proposals and is the coordinator of the EU PROACTIVE project and EU CBRNe4rail project. Within the UIC Security Platform he manages the Human Factors Working Group which focuses on behavioural aspects of railway security, such as social prevention techniques, behavioural nudges, security by design, public awareness, education and training. All these elements are relevant for BEHOLDER and can inform the project activities.
Paula Fernandez Diaz
Paula is a Junior Security Advisor at the International Union of Railways. She holds a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Political Science from Complutense University of Madrid and earned a Master’s in European Security from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome. She is currently pursuing a Law degree at UNED. Within the UIC Security Department, Paula supports EU-funded projects and coordinates the Sabotage, Intrusion and Attack Working Group (SIA WG). She contributes to research tasks, including the analysis of surveys, and assists with strategic communication and organizational affairs. Her work brings practical perspectives on threat prevention and infrastructure resilience, which can enrich BEHOLDER’s activities.
Kamil Szafranski
Kamil holds a Master’s degree in genetics and a PhD in marine microbiology from Sorbonne University in Paris. He has recently joined the UIC Security Department as a Senior Research Advisor. He contributes to CBRN‑related projects and supports both the UIC Security Platform and the New Technologies Working Group. He is passionate about rail transportation and emerging technologies and is particularly interested in how innovation can strengthen security and resilience across the rail sector. He brings nearly 15 years of experience in scientific research and international project coordination. Throughout his career, Kamil has coordinated international research initiatives and led major EU‑funded and national projects in environmental science and oceanography.
Paula Fernandez Diaz
Paula is a Junior Security Advisor at the International Union of Railways. She holds a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Political Science from Complutense University of Madrid and earned a Master’s in European Security from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome. She is currently pursuing a Law degree at UNED. Within the UIC Security Department, Paula supports EU-funded projects and coordinates the Sabotage, Intrusion and Attack Working Group (SIA WG). She contributes to research tasks, including the analysis of surveys, and assists with strategic communication and organizational affairs. Her work brings practical perspectives on threat prevention and infrastructure resilience, which can enrich BEHOLDER’s activities.
Kamil Szafranski
Kamil holds a Master’s degree in genetics and a PhD in marine microbiology from Sorbonne University in Paris. He has recently joined the UIC Security Department as a Senior Research Advisor. He contributes to CBRN‑related projects and supports both the UIC Security Platform and the New Technologies Working Group. He is passionate about rail transportation and emerging technologies and is particularly interested in how innovation can strengthen security and resilience across the rail sector. He brings nearly 15 years of experience in scientific research and international project coordination. Throughout his career, Kamil has coordinated international research initiatives and led major EU‑funded and national projects in environmental science and oceanography.
TIMOTHÉE COZON
Timothée is a Junior Security Research Advisor in the Security Department at UIC. He studied International Relations at Leiden University (The Hague) and European Governance at the Hertie School in Berlin. Before joining UIC, he worked in international business development at Deutsche Bahn International Operations and later in the coordination unit of the European Commission’s DG MOVE. At UIC, Timothée supports the implementation of EU-funded projects, especially on the CBRN topic. He contributes to BEHOLDER project’s innovation activities, bringing his knowledge on inter-institutional relations and EU rail legislation.