Critical Infrastructure Assessment
by LTC Daniel Tiberiu Osoian ( ROU ) MAJ Brian Trager ( CAN )
Importance of Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure protection becomes a subject of primary concern in conditions of escalating asymmetric risk in the beginning of 21st Century . Having in mind the importance of infrastructure in sustainment of major economic and social systems , there are efforts across NATO members , also European Union members to identify a common language and common procedures to define and to assess the infrastructure as well as to find the better ways to assure their protection against any threat , in peace time or during the crisis . For instance , the American Presidential Directive 68 approved in 1998 set up a national program of “ Critical Infrastructure Protection ” while in Europe in December 2006 the “ European Program for Critical Infrastructure Protection ” has been approved by European Commission followed by accordingly adapted national regulation . Is a fact that in spite of these efforts , there still exist differences in considering criticality of infrastructure by different organizations .
Inside NATO there is a need for a common understanding of this concept , as well as for a common procedure to assess the criticality of infrastructure and to consider priorities in this regard . 13th Military Engineering working group held in Ingolstadt , Germany in January 2017 , agreed over a NATO definition on Critical Infrastructure which is to be endorsed to relevant authority for approval and LAND- COM Military engineering Division is advocating for a NATO publication which is to standardize the assessing procedures .
The majority of countries have complex , networked and inter-dependent infrastructure . Infrastructure ’ s key importance lies in its ability , or lack thereof , to perform its function and thus provide the relevant services to the civilian population and to combatants . Civilian infrastructure , in most cases , is not designed with sufficient redundancy to withstand extensive deliberate or incidental damage or disruption , caused by either physical or electronic attacks during armed conflicts or natural disasters . As a result , it is important for military planners to assess the functions , linkages and vulnerabilities of infrastructure networks and identify potential risks from perceived threats in order to provide decision making opportunities to Comds during the Operational Planning Process ( OPP ).
Recent developments , specifically Graduated Response Plan ( GRP ) development activities , have highlighted the need for a systematic and comprehensive assess-
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European Commission ’ s Directive EU COM ( 2006 ) 786