(1)

The Council conclusions on ‘Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Terrorist Attacks’ and the ‘EU Solidarity Programme on the Consequences of Terrorist Threats and Attacks’ adopted by Council in December 2004 endorsed the Commission’s intention to propose a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection and agreed to the Commission setting up CIWIN (1).

(1)

The Council conclusions on ‘Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Terrorist Attacks’ and the ‘EU Solidarity Programme on the Consequences of Terrorist Threats and Attacks’ adopted by Council in December 2004 endorsed the Commission’s intention to propose a European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection and agreed to the Commission setting up CIWIN (2).

(4)

Several incidents involving critical infrastructure in Europe such as for example the European blackout in 2006 demonstrated the need for a better and more efficient exchange of information in order to prevent or limit the scope of the incident .

(4)

Several incidents involving critical infrastructure in Europe such as for example the European blackout in 2006 demonstrated the need for a better and more efficient exchange of information and greater knowledge of the practice of different Member States in order to be prepared and to avoid a recurrence of such incidents .

(5)

It is appropriate to establish an information system that will enable Member States and the Commission to exchange information and alerts in the field of Critical Infrastructure Protection ( CIP ) , to strengthen their CIP dialogue, and contribute towards promoting the integration and better coordination of nationally scattered and fragmented CIP research programmes.

(5)

It is therefore appropriate to establish an information system that will enable Member States and the Commission to exchange information in the field of CIP, to strengthen their CIP dialogue, and contribute towards promoting the integration and better coordination of nationally scattered and fragmented CIP research programmes.

(6)

CIWIN should contribute to the improvement of CIP in the EU by providing an information system that could facilitate Member States’ cooperation ; and offer an efficient and quick alternative to time-consuming methods of searching for information on critical infrastructures in the Community.

(6)

CIWIN should contribute to the improvement of CIP in the EU by providing an information system that could facilitate Member States’ cooperation and coordination, and offer an efficient and quick alternative to time-consuming methods of searching for information on critical infrastructures in the Community. It should in particular stimulate the development of appropriate measures aimed at facilitating the exchange and dissemination of information, best practice and experience between Member States.

(6a)

The first evaluation of CIWIN should also include an in-depth analysis of the necessity of adding a new functionality to CIWIN, namely the technical facility of a rapid alert system (RAS). This functionality should enable Member States and the Commission to post alerts on immediate risks and threats to critical infrastructure, taking into account all the necessary security requirements.

(7)

CIWIN should, in particular, stimulate the development of appropriate measures aimed at facilitating an exchange of best practices as well as being a vehicle for transmission of immediate threats and alerts in a secure manner.

(8)

CIWIN should avoid duplication and be heedful of the specific characteristics, expertise, arrangements and areas of competence of each of the existing sectoral rapid alert systems (RAS).

(8)

In the course of the development and evaluation of the new information system, Member States and the Commission should ensure that CIWIN avoids duplication and is heedful of the specific characteristics, expertise, arrangements and areas of competence of each of the existing sectoral rapid alert systems (RAS).

(10)

The interdependence of critical infrastructure in Member States and varying levels of CIP in Member States suggest that creating a horizontal and cross-sectoral Community tool for the exchange of information and alerts on CIP would increase the security of citizens.

(4a)

The interdependence of critical infrastructure in Member States and varying levels of Critical Infrastructure Protection ( CIP ) in Member States suggest that creating a horizontal and cross-sectoral Community tool for the exchange of information on CIP would increase the security of citizens.

(10a)

The adoption of measures in the sphere of civil protection is listed among the activities of Community in point (u) of Article 3(1) of the EC Treaty. Therefore, the creation of CIWIN is necessary to enable the Community to attain an objective laid down by the Treaty.

(17)

This Decision respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

(17)

This Decision respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised by Article 6 of the EU Treaty and reflected in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

(a)

an electronic forum for the CIP related to information exchange;

(b)

a rapid alert functionality that shall enable participating Member States and the Commission to post alerts on immediate risks and threats to critical infrastructure.

(b)

laying down guidelines on the terms of use of the system, including confidentiality, transmission, storage, filing and deletion of information. The Commission shall also establish the terms and procedures for granting full or selective access to the CIWIN.

(b)

laying down user guidelines on the terms of use of the system, including confidentiality, transmission, storage, filing and deletion of information. The Commission shall also establish the terms and procedures for granting full or selective access to the CIWIN.

(3)

Alert Areas, which may be created in the event of an alert being triggered in the RAS, and will constitute the channel of communication during CIP-related activities;