Cassidian, an EADS company, is a worldwide leader in global security solutions and systems, providing Lead Systems Integration and value-added products and services to civil and military customers around the globe: air systems (aircraft and unmanned aerial systems), land, naval and joint systems, intelligence and surveillance, cyber security, secure communications, test systems, missiles, services and support solutions. In 2010, Cassidian – with around 28,000 employees – achieved revenues of € 5.9 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2010, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 45.8 billion and employed a workforce of more than 121,000.

Europol is the European Union law enforcement agency that handles the exchange and analysis of criminal intelligence. Its mission is to improve the effectiveness and cooperation between EU law enforcement authorities in preventing and combating serious international crime and terrorism, with the aim of achieving a safer Europe for all EU citizens.

Europol commenced its full activities on 1 July 1999 following ratification of the Europol Convention by all EU Member States. On 1 January 2010 Europol became a full EU agency with a new legal framework and enhanced mandate, following the adoption of the Europol Council Decision, which replaced the Europol Convention.

Europol supports law enforcement activities of EU Member States in areas such as:

• Illicit drug trafficking,
• Terrorism,
• Illegal immigrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and child sexual exploitation,
• Counterfeiting and product piracy,
• Money-laundering,
• orgery of money and other means of payment - Europol acts as Europe's Central Office for combating euro counterfeiting.

Europol supports Member States by:

• Facilitating the exchange of information and criminal intelligence between EU law enforcement authorities by way of the Europol Information and Analysis Systems, and the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA),
• Providing operational analysis in support of Member States' operations,
• Generating strategic reports (e.g. threat assessments) and crime analysis on the basis of information and intelligence supplied by Member States, generated by Europol or gathered from other sources,
• Providing expertise and technical support for investigations and operations carried out within the EU, under the supervision and legal responsibility of the Member States concerned.

Europol is also active in promoting crime analysis and the harmonisation of investigative techniques and training within Member States.

The French Ministry of Defense is in charge of the global organisation and planification of the French military defense as well as the armed forces management. It is based in Paris.

Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2011, the company generated revenues of €13 billion with 67,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services  that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners. 

Tracfin (Traitement du renseignement et action contre les circuits financiers clandestins) is a service of the French Ministry of Finances fighting  money laundering. TRACFIN is an operational unit that is the sole collection point for suspicious transaction reports. The Order of 30 January 2009, which transposed the 3rd European Anti-Money Laundering Directive into national law, extended the scope of TRACFIN's investigations by requiring that a suspicious transaction report be submitted whenever the reporting party knows, suspects or has good reason to suspect that a transaction is based on an offense that is punishable by more than one year's imprisonment or is connected to terrorist financing (Article L. 561-15-I Monetary and Financial Code). Tax fraud is now part of the scope of underlying offenses covered by the Order. Nevertheless, the law provides that, in cases of tax fraud, the suspicious transaction report must contain at least one objective element included in the list established by Decree 2009-874 of 16 July 2009. Based on these reports, or on intelligence received from its foreign counterparts, TRACFIN gathers, analyses, supplements and make use of any and all intelligence in order to establish the criminal origin or destination of a transaction (Article L. 561-23-II paragraph 2 Monetary and Financial Code). When the investigation reveals facts that may constitute an offense punishable by more than a year's imprisonment, TRACFIN must refer the case to the public prosecutor's office (Article L. 561-23-II paragraph 3 Monetary and Financial Code). The State Prosecutor informs TRACFIN of all final court orders relating to suspicious transactions that have been reported (Article L. 561-24 paragraph 2 Monetary and Financial Code).