Geopolitic / Europe
Critical National Infrastructure Protection Strategies
Critical national infrastructure (CNI) encompasses essential services such as energy, transport, water, and digital communications, which are increasingly vulnerable to various threats. The discussion at the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum highlighted the urgent need for enhanced protection measures to address these evolving risks.
Source material: Sixth Plenary Session: Protecting and Leveraging Critical National Infrastructure
Summary
Critical national infrastructure (CNI) encompasses essential services such as energy, transport, water, and digital communications, which are increasingly vulnerable to various threats. The discussion at the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum highlighted the urgent need for enhanced protection measures to address these evolving risks.
Latvia's Minister for the Interior emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in bolstering CNI security, particularly in response to rising threats from drone technology and cyber attacks. The establishment of a center of excellence for anti-drone technology aims to improve national resilience.
France's national strategic review underscores the shift from a protective mindset to one of resilience, necessitating legal reforms and collaborative efforts between government and private sectors. This approach aims to ensure the continuity of essential services during crises.
The reliance on outdated technologies by defense agencies raises concerns about their ability to withstand modern hybrid threats. Emphasis was placed on the need for rapid modernization of digital infrastructure to enhance civil defense capabilities.
Perspectives
Analysis of critical national infrastructure protection strategies and emerging threats.
Proponents of Enhanced CNI Protection
- Emphasize the need for public-private partnerships to bolster CNI security
- Highlight the importance of rapid modernization of digital infrastructure to address evolving threats
Skeptics of Current CNI Strategies
- Question the effectiveness of existing frameworks in addressing hybrid threats
- Point out the reliance on outdated technologies by defense agencies
Neutral / Shared
- Acknowledge the role of open source intelligence in enhancing situational awareness
- Recognize the need for collaboration in sharing cyber threat information
Metrics
other
12,000 units
illegal border crossings prevented last year
This figure underscores the significant challenges Latvia faces in border security
last year, we prevented approximately 12,000 illegal crossing of Latvian Belarus border.
other
nearly 5,000 incidents units
cyber incidents reported in 2025
This indicates a significant rise in threats to CNI
I think this is 2025 report pointed to nearly 5,000 incidents.
loss
1.9 billion pounds GBP
cost to the UK economy from the Jaguar Land Rover cybersecurity incident
This significant financial loss highlights the vulnerabilities in critical national infrastructure
it costs the UK economy 1.9 billion pounds.
other
265 billion euros EUR
current estimated outflow of technology spending from the EU to the US
This outflow highlights the economic vulnerabilities faced by the EU
Today, an estimated 265 billion euros spent flows out of the EU primarily to the US
other
100 to 100,000 units
cost asymmetry in defending against drone threats
This disparity highlights the unsustainable nature of current defense strategies
the cost of symmetry is 100 to 100,000 to 100 is simply not acceptable.
Key entities
Timeline highlights
00:00–05:00
Critical national infrastructure (CNI) encompasses energy, transport, water, and digital communications, which are increasingly vulnerable to various threats. Latvia's Minister for the Interior reported over 12,000 illegal border crossings prevented last year, with a rise in attempts this year, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures.
- Critical national infrastructure (CNI) includes energy, transport, water, and digital communications, which are facing increasing vulnerabilities from various threats
- Latvias Minister for the Interior reported over 12,000 illegal border crossings prevented last year, with a concerning rise in attempts this year
- The Latvian state security service has noted increased interest from Russian intelligence in targeting critical infrastructure, especially in railway, electricity, and telecommunications sectors
- Latvia is enhancing border security through a combination of physical measures and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence
- The importance of collaboration between the state and society is highlighted as crucial for safeguarding national security and critical infrastructure
05:00–10:00
Latvia is enhancing its critical national infrastructure security through regular briefings and legislative amendments. The establishment of a center of excellence for anti-drone technology aims to address emerging threats and improve public safety.
- Latvia is enhancing its critical national infrastructure (CNI) security by conducting regular briefings for security personnel to improve response capabilities to suspicious activities
- The government is amending legislation to clarify responsibilities for CNI security, particularly regarding private sector infrastructure and emerging threats such as drone technology
- A new center of excellence is being established in Latvia to focus on anti-drone technology and promote knowledge sharing among stakeholders, addressing the rapid advancements in drone capabilities
- Latvia is utilizing EU funds and support from Norway to rebuild its civil defense infrastructure, which has been underdeveloped since regaining independence, with the goal of restoring public trust and safety
- The country is drawing lessons from Finland and Ukraine to prioritize civil defense issues and implement effective practices in response to evolving security challenges
10:00–15:00
The discussion focused on the need for a coordinated EU strategy to enhance the security of critical national infrastructure (CNI) in light of rising hybrid threats. France's national strategic review emphasizes the shift from a protective mindset to one of resilience, necessitating legal reforms and public-private partnerships.
- The necessity for a coordinated EU strategy to tackle threats to critical national infrastructure (CNI), especially given the rise in hybrid attacks
- Frances national strategic review underscores the importance of readiness against potential Russian aggression, which poses significant risks to CNI
- A transition from a protective mindset to one of resilience is essential for France, aligning with European directives and NATO standards, leading to necessary legal reforms
- Enhancing CNI security relies on effective public-private partnerships, which include collaborative threat assessments and crisis management planning
- New initiatives will soon enable private operators to neutralize drones, demonstrating a proactive approach to emerging threats facing infrastructure
15:00–20:00
The discussion at the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum focused on enhancing the resilience of critical national infrastructure (CNI) in response to evolving threats. Key strategies include ensuring the continuity of essential services and fostering citizen engagement during crises.
- The French government is revising its military programming law to enhance the resilience of critical national infrastructure, which has relied on trust and collaboration for over 50 years
- Frances national strategy emphasizes the continuity of essential networks such as telecommunications, energy, and water, while also addressing cyber resilience and identifying vital goods to prevent supply disruptions
- The initiative Everybodys Responsible encourages citizen engagement during crises by developing a skilled volunteer base to support the operational readiness of critical infrastructure
- The interconnectedness of global markets requires all EU member states to commit to implementing European legislation aimed at improving the protection and resilience of their critical infrastructure
20:00–25:00
The discussion at the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum highlighted the critical role of communication infrastructure in modern societies, emphasizing its importance during crises. Technological advancements, particularly in mobile networks, are essential for enhancing resilience and coordination in emergency situations.
- Modern societies depend on communication infrastructure, with failures potentially leading to crises within hours, impacting emergency services and financial systems
- Mobile connectivity is crucial during crises, as demonstrated in conflicts like Ukraine, where it facilitates real-time alerts and humanitarian coordination
- Technological advancements, including the shift from legacy systems to fiber and 5G, enhance data transmission capabilities and inter-agency communication, enabling innovative applications like drone surveillance
- The creation of a new emergency network in Sweden showcases effective collaboration between the commercial sector and public infrastructure to enhance services for first responders
- As connectivity becomes increasingly vital, it also attracts malicious actors, highlighting the need for strong defenses against cyber threats, physical attacks on infrastructure, and vulnerabilities in the supply chain
25:00–30:00
The discussion at the IISS Stockholm Civil Defence Forum highlighted the urgent need to modernize critical national infrastructure (CNI) to address evolving threats. Emphasis was placed on the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors to enhance resilience and security.
- Societys increasing dependence on digital infrastructure exposes defense agencies that still rely on outdated technologies to significant vulnerabilities
- Modernizing communication networks is essential for enhancing civil defense, requiring a rapid shift from legacy systems to contemporary technologies
- The security of digital infrastructure is contingent on selecting trusted partners and suppliers, as vulnerabilities can arise from the weakest link in the technology stack
- Collaboration between governments and the private sector is crucial for improving resilience and securing necessary investments in critical national infrastructure
- Current critical national infrastructure systems, originally designed for openness and cost efficiency, are now challenged by persistent hybrid threats and low-level disruptions in a hostile geopolitical environment