Asset Criticality in European Gas Pipeline Systems – Increasing Challenges for NATO, Its Member States and Industrial Protection of Critical Energy Infrastructure

Abstract

The paper focuses on the critical infrastructure security of the European gas supply systems. First, it analyses the changing international security environment for CEIP (i.e. towards cyber attacks) and their critical assets, in particular energy control centers, of gas supply systems under varying conditions – i.e. specific conditions that may impact on the effectiveness and security of critical assets, such as gas control centers. Second, the paper also summarizes and highlights some results of the EU’s OCTAVIO- and INSPIRE-research projects. Third, it also tries to identify new emerging risks in the European gas supply system along the EU’s evolving common Energy Security Strategy, and subsequent measures, and initiatives on energy security adopted as of spring of 2010. Finally, against this background, some conclusions and recommendations are made for the future role of NATO for protecting CEI.