{"id":20989,"date":"2024-10-17T21:56:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T18:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/?p=20989"},"modified":"2024-10-17T21:56:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T18:56:58","slug":"protection-of-critical-infrastructures-in-peace-crisis-and-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.liberalglobe.com\/?p=20989","title":{"rendered":"Protection of Critical Infrastructures in Peace, Crisis and War"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

States as international actors are faced with energy competitions, regional conflicts, terrorism, migration, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, disruptive technologies, the collapse of multilateral institutions, the geopoliticization of strategic resources, weapons of mass destruction and hybrid warfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering the above challenges and threats, combined with the continuation of the war in Ukraine and the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, it becomes more necessary than ever to protect critical infrastructures where they are the main target of international state and non-state actors, both in in times of peace as well as in times of crisis and war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, it should be pointed out that in a conventional war the primary objective of those involved is the destruction of the critical infrastructures used by the adversary to support its war effort. In this context, the preservation of critical infrastructures and ensuring their effective operation, so that they continue to meet the needs of the population, is an important factor for the resistance and survival of an involved international actor, but also for the outcome of the war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The destruction of critical infrastructure, however, is also a primary goal for a hybrid actor where, in peacetime, he tries to take advantage of his opponent’s vulnerabilities, in order to achieve destabilization and control by causing crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, this hybrid actor, through the use of conventional and unconventional means of conflict, tries to dominate the physical and psychological battlefield through the control of information and the media, while using, at the same time, every possible means to reduce his exposure. This may include the need to use strong military force, with the aim of bending the adversary’s will and weakening the support of its population and government agencies. In this context, many hybrid actors are instrumentalizing critical infrastructures and using them as a means of hybrid warfare, in order to wreak havoc on their adversaries through their control or destruction. The ultimate goal of these actions, is the promotion of their political goals and the fulfillment of their national strategic goals, through the destabilization of the opponent, but also of the regional and international system in general.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In support of the above, it is worth mentioning some examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/strong> On March 18, 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. This annexation was the result of a well-planned hybrid business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, covert Russian troops without insignia seized the Crimean Parliament, as well as strategic locations and critical infrastructure across Crimea (e.g. the Crimean port of Kerch, which operated as a ferry to Russia’s Caucasus port, the port of Feodosia from where Russian ships subsequently besieged the local Ukrainian Base, Dzhankoy airport, a communications center in Crimea, the missile depot in Chornomorske etc.) as a result, cutting off the Crimean peninsula from the rest of Ukraine and then, to attach it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. <\/strong>The sabotage that took place on September 26, 2022 and resulted in the leak of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 natural gas pipelines, which start in Russia, penetrate underground and deep into the Baltic and reach Germany, is another event which shows the vulnerability and vulnerability of energy infrastructures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.<\/strong> Specifically, the explosion of the underwater electricity transmission cable from Crete to Attica (Greece) months ago and the fourth act of sabotage (from 2020 to date), on the water transmission pipeline in Aegina island, resulting in the interruption of the island’s direct water supply, are still being investigated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.<\/strong> In the same perspective, we should not forget what happened on July 19, 2024, when a Microsoft technical failure caused a global black out, shutting down businesses such as banks, airlines, telecommunications companies, television and radio stations, and supermarkets throughout the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.<\/strong> What is also happening on the battlefields in Ukraine and the Middle East is well known. All warring parties aim to destroy their adversary’s critical infrastructure (e.g. energy infrastructure, power stations, industrial facilities, ammunition depots, airports, rail and road networks, bridges, hydroelectric dams, etc.) in order to weaken its deterrent power, paralyze the vital functions of its state to affect its smooth functioning, intimidate its people by raising issues of survival and ultimately, put pressure on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.<\/strong> Finally, the effects of climate change are already known, as are the incalculable damages they cause to critical infrastructure. The Florida peninsula is still counting its wounds from the devastating hurricanes Elin and Milton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking into account the above examples, it is easy to understand that the protection of said infrastructures becomes necessary because, as stated in the Council Directive 2008\/114\/EC of December 8, 2008<\/a>, they concern assets, systems or parts thereof located within the member states and which are essential to the maintenance of the vital functions of society, the health, safety, economic and social well-being of its members, and whose disruption or destruction would have a significant impact on a Member State, as a result the inability to maintain these functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, it should also be noted that critical infrastructures are highly dependent on each other either directly or indirectly. Therefore, attacks on one infrastructure can cause serious effects on other infrastructures and many times, affect the infrastructures of other countries as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The protection of said infrastructures as indicated in the above Directive (2008\/114\/EC), concerns all activities aimed at ensuring the functionality, continuity and integrity of vital infrastructures with the aim of preventing, mitigating and neutralizing threats , risk or vulnerability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, in order to protect our critical infrastructures and shield our homeland from challenges and threats that are likely to endanger our national integrity or our internal security, it is imperative to strengthen both the operational resilience of critical infrastructures of the member countries as well as their National Resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In particular, national mechanisms should be developed where they will recognize the risks and threats of each member country, deal with social pressures, predict and mitigate the social shock from the occurrence of risks, extreme phenomena or disasters and crises and will be able to adapt to the changing conditions of an extreme event or crisis, to recover quickly during periods of extreme events or crises and finally, to return to their previous normal operating environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resilience of critical infrastructure in both the European Union (EU) and NATO contexts is primarily a national responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In the majority of cases, the agencies and services of each member state have not identified what their critical infrastructures are, but even if they have identified some, they have not carried out an analysis of their risks and vulnerabilities and have not set up a mechanism to protect them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A mechanism that will have the ability to prevent, protect, react, resist, mitigate, absorb, respond to and recover from incidents that have the potential to disrupt the provision of essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summary, it should be understood that disruptions to critical infrastructure can come from many sources, both natural and man-made. In addition, due to the increasingly interconnected and connected economy and society, disruptions of critical infrastructure can have significant effects on critical government functions, essential services to the population, the economic activity of all sectors of the national economy, as well as on defense and security of each member country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, disruptions to critical infrastructure can have significant negative consequences for EU allies. and NATO, since they can obstruct their military activities and suspend the initiatives of the EU and NATO, for the prevention of international conflicts, the building and maintenance of peace, but also the strengthening of international security and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since it is not possible to fully protect all of the country’s vital infrastructures, emphasis must be placed on critical infrastructures that, whatever the blow, are of the highest national importance to continue to fulfill their essential functions, so that they continue to cover the needs of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, emphasis must be placed on the protection of the critical infrastructures that, in any danger or threat the country faces, will ensure the prevention and management of crises and the vital prevention and defense functions of each member country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, for the above critical infrastructures that will be chosen to be protected, it is immediately required:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • The recognition of threats and risks or crises they are likely to face.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Developing a plan to deal with the threats and risks or crises they are likely to face.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Forming a team to manage and deal with the threats and risks or crises they are likely to face.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Finding the appropriate national resources that should be available to implement the above.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Finally, as an exhortation, since we live in a tumultuous time and the borders of Europe are on fire – for good and for bad and just in case – until the above is implemented, it would be good for the competent state bodies in the member countries to increase of security measures in their critical infrastructures (establishment of control measures, increased patrols, electronic means of surveillance, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also, if it is possible to secure alternative networks and critical infrastructures that will cover the functions of the primary networks and infrastructures in the event that they receive a blow and are put out of operation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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