Publications on Critical Infrastructure Protection

Reports and studies on Critical Infrastructure Protection

The comprehensive approach adopted in Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) is a relatively new one. A number of problem areas, such as various forms of interdependencies in case of disruptions, are not yet sufficiently understood. Accordingly, fundamental research in the field of CIP is of paramount importance. To this end, the Federal Office of Civil Protection (FOCP) collaborates closely with Swiss universities and international research institutes. However, fundamental studies are also conducted in the framework of the Critical Infrastructure Protection Working Group (CIP WG). Official reports submitted to the Federal Council provide further orientation on achievements and the next steps in the CIP Programme.

Basic CIP Strategy and reports to the Federal Council

On 5 June 2009, the Federal Council approved the Basic Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Protection, which is to be developed into a national CIP strategy by 2012. It also endorsed the second report on CIP, which provides guidance on the results and insights gained in the period 2007-2009. On 4 July 2007, the Federal Council had approvingly taken notice of the first report on CIP, which defined Switzerland’s critical infrastructures and laid out further steps in the elaboration of a national CIP strategy.

Basic Reports and Research Reports

Due to the high potential for cooperation in the CIP Programme, research efforts are primarily aimed at cross-sectoral aspects such as scenario-based analysis of the effects of individual events on and between various sectors. Furthermore, detailed investigations of selected critical sectors or subsectors are conducted. Basic research is also performed on specific challenges in the field of CIP such as issues related to criticality, risk, or vulnerability analyses.

• February 2009. Programme on Critical Infrastructure Protection (ed.): Final Report on Subsector Criticality
  
  As part of the CIP Programme, a methodology for weighting critical subsectors was developed and applied. This made it possible to structure the 31 critical subsectors into three groups, based on criticality: Inter alia, eight subsectors showing a very high degree of criticality were identified
  

• October 2008: Center for Security Studies (CSS) / ETH Zurich: Focal Report Nr. 1 on Critical Infrastructure Protection
  
  On behalf of the Federal Office of Civil Protection (FOCP), the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich produces focal reports on Critical Infrastructure Protection. The first report highlights national CIP strategies and identifies three global trends. Furthermore, attacks on the energy sector are discussed in detail. Both focal areas are supplemented with extensive annotated bibliographies.
  

• June 2008: Laboratory for Safety Analysis (LSA) / ETH Zurich: Comparative Evaluation of Modeling and Simulation Techniques for Interdependent Critical Infrastructures
  
  The Laboratory for Safety Analysis (LSA) has produced a scientific report on analysis and simulation techniques for complex and interdependent infrastructure systems for the Federal Office of Civil Protection (FOCP). Based on a review of the state of research, eight different methodologies were identified, which were then discussed and evaluated in detail.