Green Paper on a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection

1. BACKGROUND

Critical infrastructure (CI) can be damaged, destroyed or disrupted by deliberate acts of terrorism, natural disasters, negligence, accidents or computer hacking, criminal activity and malicious behaviour. To save the lives and property of people at risk in the EU from terrorism, natural disasters and accidents, any disruptions or manipulations of CI should, to the extent possible, be brief, infrequent, manageable, geographically isolated and minimally detrimental to the welfare of the Member States (MS), their citizens and the European Union. The recent terrorist attacks in Madrid and London have highlighted the risk of terrorist attacks against European infrastructure. The EU’s response must be swift, coordinated and efficient.

The European Council of June 2004 asked the Commission to prepare an overall strategy to protect critical infrastructure. In response, the Commission adopted on 20 October 2004 a Communication «Critical Infrastructure Protection in the Fight Against Terrorism» putting forward clear suggestions on what would enhance European prevention, preparedness and response to terrorist attacks involving critical infrastructures.

The Council conclusions on «Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Terrorist Attacks» and the «EU Solidarity Programme on the Consequences of Terrorist Threats and Attacks» adopted by Council in December 2004 endorsed the intention of the Commission to propose a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) and agreed to the set-up by the Commission of a Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network (CIWIN).

The Commission has organized two seminars and invited the submission of ideas and comments by MS. The 1st EU Critical Infrastructure Protection Seminar was held on 6-7 June 2005 with the MS participation. Following this seminar, the MS provided the Commission with relevant background papers concerning their approach to CIP and commented on the ideas discussed at the seminar. Submissions were received in June and July, and formed the basis for further CIP development. The 2nd EU CIP seminar was held on 12-13 September in order to advance the discussion on CIP issues. Both MS and industry associations participated in this Seminar. As a result the Commission has decided to put forward this green paper outlining the options for EPCIP.

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Green Paper on a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection