Commission adopts guidelines to enhance the resilience of critical entities in the EU

On 11 September, the European Commission issued a Communication with new guidelines aimed at strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure across the EU.

The Communication offers recommendations and practical guidance to help EU countries identify critical entities in 11 key sectors, including energy, transport, drinking and wastewater, food, banking, and digital infrastructure. It also provides the necessary tools to ensure a structured approach as regards reporting on the outcome of risk assessments across these sectors.

The guidelines are designed to support EU countries in implementing the Critical Entities Resilience Directive, and ensure that essential services, key to societal welfare and economic activities, remain uninterrupted in the face of external threats such as natural hazards, terrorist attacks, and public health emergencies. The Directive sets the framework for EU countries to develop national strategies, conduct regular risk assessments, and identify critical entities, which in turn must take technical, security and organisational measures to enhance their resilience.

As highlighted in the European Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU, it is essential for all EU countries to promptly transpose and correctly implement the Directive. This will reduce vulnerabilities and bolster resilience, ensuring the uninterrupted provision of essential services that are crucial to the EU's economy and society. The Commission continues to support EU countries in stepping up the protection of critical infrastructure and the resilience of critical entities in the EU.