In February as featured in the March 2017 print issue of Professional Security magazine, the United Nations Security Council urged joint measures to protect ‘critical infrastructure’ from terrorist attacks.
Given the importance of critical infrastructure, and against the backdrop of increasingly diverse physical and cyber threats from terrorist groups, the UN Security Council underlined the need for international collaboration – both domestically and across borders – to ensure their protection.
In a resolution adopted unanimously the 15-member UN body reiterated “the need to strengthen efforts to improve security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, such as infrastructure and public places.”
Attacks against objects and sectors such as banking and finance, telecommunications, emergency services, air, maritime and rail transportation, and energy and water supply – perceived as ‘attractive targets’ for terrorist groups – can result not only in civilian casualties, but also damage property on a large scale, disrupt proper functioning of public services, and create chaos in societies.
It called upon UN member states “to share information […] to prevent, protect, mitigate, investigate, respond to and recover from damage from terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure facilities, including through joint training, and use or establishment of relevant communication or emergency warning networks.”
In response, the International Association of Critical Infrastructure Protection Professionals (IACIPP) has launched a website www.IACIPP.net as an extranet designed for critical infrastructure people to share information with other members, keep up-to-date with the latest threats, best practise and training.
Chairman of the IACIPP John Donlon QPM, FSI said: “We fully endorse the UN resolution and we have already been working hard to do our part to make that aspiration a reality. The extranet is now live and operational for members. The association is open to all CIP professionals including operator site managers, security officers as well as first responders, government agency officials, officers and policy makers. Membership of the association is still free and we encourage colleagues around the world to join us.
“We look forward to welcoming new members and will be demonstrating the www.IACIPP.net platform for the first time at the Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience, Europe conference and expo in The Hague from May 9 to 11, 2017, where CIP professionals from across Europe and beyond will gather once again to discuss the burning issues.”
