Frontex knows what’s going on at Europe’s borders: where the threats are, how to react, and where they’re likely to emerge next. Our 24/7 monitoring of the situation on the border and beyond, combined with comprehensive risk analysis, gives us a Europe-wide view of border control and migration management. Frontex helps spot potential weak points and strengthen Europe’s resilience.
We do this by using our own surveillance assets and by receiving, integrating, analysing and disseminating intelligence from a wealth of sources, including national border guard authorities. We use this Europe-wide picture to coordinate the response to a variety of threats, including smuggling, trafficking in human beings and terrorism.
To take just one example: our Maritime Aerial
Surveillance (MAS) has become an integral part of our operations, and a
permanent service offered to national authorities. MAS uses surveillance
airplanes and drones that stream video and other data from EU and Schengen
external borders directly to our headquarters in Warsaw and to national and
European authorities, allowing for real-time monitoring.
At the European Monitoring Room in Warsaw, experts from a variety of countries work together
to monitor the incoming information. Frontex planes routinely detect boats in
distress at sea, providing quick reaction and coordination that allows national
authorities to launch rescue missions.
We also work to assess risks at the borders and
then to reduce vulnerability to challenges and support national authorities in
their response. Risk analysis guides all Frontex activities, helping us decide
where our human and technical resources should be deployed. Frontex also supports
the Member States by providing remote command and control capacity and crisis
management support.