As geopolitical tensions intensify, critical infrastructure has become a central target of modern conflict. Participants discussed how Europe can strengthen the resilience of its energy, telecommunications, transport, and digital infrastructure by accelerating innovation, improving preparedness, and enhancing cooperation between governments, industry, and international partners.
Key Takeaways
Critical Infrastructure and Resilience
- Participants agreed that future conflicts are increasingly likely to target critical infrastructure rather than conventional military assets. Building resilience requires decentralized systems, redundancy, secure supply chains, and the ability to maintain essential services during disruptions.
Technology, Cybersecurity, and Innovation
- Software, AI, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems are becoming central to infrastructuremprotection. Participants emphasized the need for faster procurement, continuous testing ofemerging technologies, and closer cooperation between governments, defence organizations, and the private sector to keep pace with evolving threats.
Whole-of -Society Preparedness
- Effective resilience depends on strong coordination between public authorities, private operators, technology companies, and civil society. Ukraine was highlighted as important example of adapting quickly to persistent threats through integrated planning, civil-military cooperation, and continuous operational learning.
Proposed Solutions:
- Invest in resilient, distributed, and secure critical infrastructure.
- Expand testing and deployment of emerging technologies, including AI, drones, and cyber capabilities.
- Strengthen public-private cooperation and cybersecurity across critical sectors.
- Improve interoperability between civilian and military infrastructure protection systems.