Critical Infrastructure Resilience as a Shared Policy Response of NATO and the EU

Abstract

Information resilience depends on critical infrastructure, as both information availability and effective communication rely on it. Disruptions in critical infrastructure undermine decision-making and situational awareness of various actors. This chapter explores the evolution of critical infrastructure policy within the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), focusing on relevant policies and documents from the early 2000s to 2023. We begin by identifying key characteristics of critical infrastructure that necessitate dedicated policies by reviewing earlier literature. Following this, critical infrastructure policies and relevant documents within the EU and NATO contexts are examined, along with NATO-EU cooperation on critical infrastructure. Policy development within both organizations is characterized by a reactive approach, driven by the proliferation of terrorism, hybrid threats, and hostile state actors. Recent attention to ICT supply chains highlights a continuing reactive stance, yet acknowledgement of climate hazards indicates room for proactive strategies. The core characteristics of critical infrastructure have stayed the same, despite evolving risks and policies since the early 2000s.