Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe

Attacks on critical infrastructure sites are a favoured target for terrorist groups, for good reason. They offer what is seen by the terrorist as a soft target, that is, maximum effect with minimal chance of interdiction. The potential effects in terms of damage, the hugely detrimental economic impact, disruption of normal daily life and resulting publicity, can far outweigh the terrorist organisations commitment in both manpower and risk.

The European Commission has adopted a communication on Critical Infrastructure Protection in the fight against terrorism, enhancing European prevention, preparedness and response in the event of terrorist attacks involving critical infrastructures.

The European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) considers measures that will enhance the level of protection of infrastructure against external threats, with the Operator Security Plan for all infrastructures designated as European critical.

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe brings together leading stakeholders from industry, operators, agencies and governments to collaborate on securing Europe. The conference will look at developing existing national or international legal and technical frameworks, integrating good risk management, strategic planning and implementation.

Critical Information Infrastructure Protection / Cyber Security

With the ever increasing threat from cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, the information and data stored and used by CNI systems and operators can be more crucial than the system itself. CIIP is becoming ever more important as part of the cyber security strategy of an organisation or CNI operator.

The European Union is developing its policy on critical energy infrastructures in relation to the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (“EPCIP”) which considers measures that will enhance, where necessary, the level of protection of certain infrastructures against external threats.

The integrity of critical infrastructures and their reliable operation are vital for the well-being of the citizens and the functioning of the economy. The implementation of the EPCIP, under Council Directive 2008/114/EC on the identification and designation of European critical infrastructures and the need to improve their protection, has not been completely successful.

The ever changing nature of threats, whether natural through climate change, or man-made through terrorism activities, either physical or cyber attacks, means the need to continually review and update policies, practices and technologies to meet these demands.

Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Europe is the leading conference and exhibition discussing the challenges and issues surrounding the ever increasing threats and solutions for securing Europe's critical infrastructure.