L'identification des infrastructures critiques : réflexion à partir de l'exemple européen

The existing methods for identifying critical infrastructures, mainly based on risk analysis, were found to be insufficient. Our PhD states that the existing territorial vulnerability factors contribute to the criticality of the infrastructures; in return, critical infrastructures enhance this vulnerability. As a consequence, the identification process should be based, not only on technical aspects, but also on a geographical approach. Two main research hypothesis are developed: 1. The "territorial criticality" expresses the fact that an infrastructure is not critical in itself, but its criticality is related to the socio-economic, political and geographical context. We propose a set of criteria and related indicators associated to a multilevel model. A case study shows how these criteria can be applied in the case of the European energy critical infrastructures. 2. The "political criticality" means that the designation of an infrastructure as critical reflects the level of consequences decision-makers are ready to accept. These acceptability thresholds are related to the potential consequences the disruption of such infrastructure could trigger. If the potential consequences go beyond a given threshold, then the infrastructure is considered as critical. We developed and tested this hypothesis in the context of our participation to the preparatory work carried out by the European Commission Joint Research Center to support the European Commission and its member states on the definition of criteria for identifying European Critical Infrastructures (ECI). Conclusions highlight the benefits of a geographical approach to identify critical infrastructures.JRC.DG.G.7-Traceability and vulnerability assessmen