A number of areas in which security applications could benefit from the services offered by GMES have been identified. These areas are:

• Border surveillance;
• Maritime Surveillance;
• Support to EU External Action.

In the area of Border Surveillance, the main objectives of the EU are to prevent unauthorised border crossings, to reduce the number of illegal immigrants loosing their life at sea and to increase the internal security of the EU by contributing to the prevention of cross-border crime. GMES services could contribute to the implementation of the EUROSUR system by supporting the mapping and monitoring of border areas.

In the area of Maritime Surveillance, the main objectives of the EU relate to safety of navigation, marine pollution, law enforcement, and overall security (see COM(2007)575 dated 10/10/07 "An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union"). In the domain of maritime surveillance, GMES can support controls to check if ship declarations are correct and to identify ships. For ship declaration, EMSA is now setting up the EU LRIT (Long-Range Identification and Tracking) Data Centre.

Europe has global responsibilities in promoting stability and cooperation aimed at international security. Recognising this fact, the Commission proposed the creation of an Instrument for Stability (IfS) (see Regulation 1717/2006). The main objectives of the EU are to assist third countries in crisis situations (e.g. natural disasters) and to prevent trans-regional security threats (e.g. proliferation of weapons of massive destruction, drug trafficking). Thus, as far as Support to EU External Action is concerned, GMES services have a strong potential to contribute through detection and monitoring of trans-regional security threats to enhancing risk assessment and early warning. GMES can also contribute towards improving crisis prevention, preparedness and response capacities.