Improved preparedness and response for large-scale disruptions of European infrastructures

Ensured resilience of large-scale interconnected systems infrastructures in case of complex attacks, pandemics or natural and man-made disaster.

Expected Outcomes: Projects’ results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

  • Improved large-scale vulnerability assessments of EU Member States’ (MS) or Associated Countries’ (AC) key infrastructures covering one or more  types of infrastructure (energy, water, communications, transport, finance etc.) in more than two MS/AC 
  • Improved cooperation to counter Hybrid Threats and subsequent large-scale disruptions of infrastructures in Europe, allowing for operational testing in real scenarios or realistic simulations of scenarios with specific regard to the cross-border dimension (intra-EU as well as non-EU)
  • Improved concepts and instruments for the anticipation of systemic risks to European infrastructure, allowing for comprehensive long-term risk assessments, with regards to climate change, technological trends, foreign direct investment (FDI) and dependence on critical supplies from non-EU countries 
  • Terrestrial back-up/alternative PNT solutions used by to ensure continuous operation of Critical Infrastructure in case of the disruption of GNSS services or other essential services
  • Enhanced preparedness and response by definition of operational procedures of both private and public infrastructure operators as well as public authorities considering citizens involvement (needs and vulnerabilities) in case of large scale infrastructure disruptions also with a view of assessing the combined physical and cyber resilience
  • Strategies for the resilience of infrastructure networks and services, and their interaction and vulnerabilities in a context of rapidly changing volumes and patterns of use 
  • Understanding of inter-dependencies and strategies to overcome disruptions at local – regional – national and European (cross-border) level
  • Better understanding of the cascading effects of pandemics for different infrastructures and the services they provide
  • Improved mitigation strategies in case of the infrastructure disruptions or overload caused by the absence of large parts of critical workforce, surge of patients in the healthcare services, or disruptions of critical supplies.