«Targeted actions for enhancing the protection of national characterized European critical infrastructure»
The Center for Security Studies (KEMEA) implements the action under the title “Targeted actions for enhancing the protection of national characterized European critical infrastructure”, considering the below mentioned:
- The no 268 dated 08-08-2016 Management Board meeting.
- Presidential Act 118/2007 (GG 150/Α/10.07.2007) Regulation regarding public procurements.
- Regulation (EU) No 513/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 establishing, as part of the Internal Security Fund, the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management and repealing Council Decision 2007/125/JHA
- Regulation (EU) No 514/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation, preventing and combating crime, and crisis management
- No ISF-P/90/1-κγ dated 14-06-2016 decision for the provision of the Action “Targeted actions for enhancing the protection of national characterized European critical infrastructure” in the national program of the European Internal Security Fund/Police Cooperation Sector 2014-2020.
Action Briefing
The project "Targeted Actions for enhancing the protection of National Characterized European Critical Infrastructure – NCECI", includes a series of actions and deliverables that are being developed in order to provide the background for a commonly acceptable level of safety and protection for the NCECI. To this end, it is critical to ensure the systematic cooperation of the bodies that are responsible for the safety and protection of citizens with the operators and in particular the Security Managers of the Infrastructures. Its main goal is to define a framework of synergies between those involved in security, protection and the sound operation of infrastructures that will contribute to the strengthening of the resilience of society, for the smooth operation of which, critical infrastructure constitute a key pillar.
The objectives of the project are summarized in the following:
- Ensure a commonly acceptable level of safety and protection of Critical Infrastructure (CI),
- Define a cooperation framework among all stakeholders, which will enhance the protection and the resilience of CI against multiple hazards (all hazard approach),
- Enhance the resilience of the system of interconnected and interdependent CIs through the comprehension of their interaction, so as to reduce the likelihood of occurrence of cascading effects,
- Awareness raising of executives of the emergency response management bodies, operators/managers of CIs (private/public sector), as well as citizens, whose activities are directly related with the seamless operation of infrastructures and the provision of vital services.
In the framework of the project, KE.ME.A. obtained hardware equipment and cutting-edge mapping software, in order to develop and operate a pilot Coordination Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection in accordance with the European CIWIN and ERNCIP.
This project is implemented by KE.ME.A., it has a duration of four years and ending date October 2020.
WORK PACKAGES
For the implementation of the project regarding the actions for enhancing the protection of national characterized European Critical Infrastructure, the completion of the following activities that are integrated in the relevant WPs is foreseen inter alia.
WP 2: Plan Models for Security and Protection of CI
The aim of this action is the development of standards and guidelines for the implementation of comprehensive plans for the security of CI from malicious and illegal actions, the protection and safeguarding of their business continuity in case of unforeseen events. The action includes a series of standardized plans related to preventive planning, day-to-day operation and business continuity management. In particular, in the framework of the Project, the following will be developed:a. Model Methodology for Risk Assessment of CI based on a common approach against multiple hazards and threats, b. Vulnerability Assessment Plan Model for CI, which will be based on a common approach for identification of the vulnerable elements of infrastructure and their safe operation,c. Plan Model for Secure Operation of CI, which will serve as a guide for the improvement of security and resilience of the facilities of CI, d. Emergency Management Plan Model for CI, which will serve as a guide for dealing with emergency situations of different types of hazards, while it will also include specialized topics such as evaluation of incident impact, information flow, evacuation plans, etc. and e. Business Continuity Plan of CI, which will serve as a guide for planning infrastructure recovery to basic operational levels following a disruptive event or a disaster. The aim of the project is for the aforementioned deliverables to serve as national standard bases, in order to support the operators, managers and security managers of CI in the implementation of documented, integrated and compatible security plans.
WP 3: Coordination Center for the protection of CI
A fundamental precondition for the enhancement of the security and protection of CI is the cultivation of trust between the organizations involved and the assurance of a common platform for information, reporting of problems, exchange of information and good practices, which will grant authorized access to the operators and managers of CI, as well as to public bodies responsible for infrastructure protection and safety and security issues. To this end, the development of a pilot Coordinating Center for CI Protection in the facilities of KE.ME.A. and the supply of equipment for its operation and of appropriate mapping software (GIS) to assess risk and map hazards and threats is foreseen within the project. Within the context of the project, the Coordination Center for the protection of CI will operate at pilot scale for the evaluation of coordination processes such as information on alerting level, reporting of important events that exceed the capabilities and competencies of the infrastructure, access to standard plans and legal texts, etc.The ultimate goal of the project is the implementation of a national platform for CI, which will be fully compliant with European standards (CIWIN & ERNCIP). ΚΕ.ΜΕ.Α. has addressed an open and ongoing call for cooperation to all infrastructure managers and operators to jointly review and identify the necessary procedures, data and information that may support enhancing the protection and security of infrastructure through the operation of the Coordinating Center.
WP 4: Networking of stakeholders and dissemination of actions
During the implementation of the Project, the restoration of communication channels and the networking of all stakeholders in the field of infrastructure, protection and security organizations, public bodies and professional associations are foreseen. The main channel for the interactive communication and networking between the involved bodies and the citizens is the website of the Project (http://www.ciprotection.gr/), which is hosted in an information infrastructure (server) of KE.ME.A. The systematic dissemination of information regarding the activities and the outputs of the actions of the project is performed through the websites of ciprotection.gr. The same infrastructure will also host a web platform that will foster synergies among the interested parties for the coordination of the needs for supporting and enhancing the CI.In the context of the action for networking of stakeholders, ΚΕ.ΜΕ.Α. responds immediately to any invitation addressed from CI and concerns the examination of problems and the investigation of solutions to issues regarding protection of infrastructure that affect the provision of essential services and the safe operation of society.The dissemination of the outputs and the physical communication among the involved bodies is carried out, during the Project, through the organization of the annual conference of KE.ME.A. for the CI as well as through targeted workshops. According to the implementation plan, four annual Conferences (2016-2019) are planned throughout the Project.
WP 5: Preparedness Exercises
ΚΕ.ΜΕ.Α. implements as educational and operational "tool" the methodology of Exercises (both table-top and full-cale exercises, interdisciplinary, large-scale), which is adapted to the particularities of the sector and the character of the infrastructure as well as the modern conditions of the security environment. The Preparedness Exercises are a key element of the Project for CI Protection and constitute the natural interface for communication and synergies between KEMEA and the operators, managers and security managers of CI. For the organization and implementation of the exercises, in the framework of the Project, an Exercise Design Team has been set up and four (4) Annual Preparedness Exercises (table-top) are foreseen. The Exercises are organized by KE.ME.A. with the participation of representatives from CI, agencies, services and organizations involved in the respective scenarios of each exercise. The scenarios have an escalating character and concern different types of CI (emphasizing on Energy and Transport sectors that are a priority of the Project), with criteria of interdependence, interaction and impact on the facilities and networks of infrastructure.
