The issue of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) against the current threat of terrorist attack continues to feature prominently. But it is not just about terrorism – environmental hazards, industrial accidents and sabotage (deliberate and consequential which includes terrorism) all play a role. Solutions to one are applicable to others. Protecting critical infrastructure (CI) is expensive so in these days of scarce resources multi-sector or multi-threat solutions are preferred. Dealing with this issue demands a balanced strategy and prioritisation. CIP is about measuring risk-informed outcomes. There must be a feedback loop and element of risk accepted and mitigated through consequence management. Two important questions that continue to arise are: firstly, what can we do to increase the resilience of CI? The common answer being that we must cooperate. The second question is whether CI protection is a national or international issue. The answer is of course both and must be deconflicted.

This book presents the proceedings of the NATO Centre of Excellence – Defence against Terrorism (COE-DAT) Advanced Research Workshop entitled “Critical Infrastructure Protection,” held in Ankara, Turkey, in May 2012. The workshop brought together 44 participants from 13 countries and consisted of five sessions: a General Overview of Policy, Tools and Techniques; the Realities of Implementation; Protection of Critical Energy Infrastructure; Protection of Critical Communications and Information Infrastructure; and Protection of Critical Transportation Infrastructure. During these sessions, presentations by 16 expert speakers – military and civilian practioners, business leaders, diplomats, and academics – from 6 countries were followed by a detailed discussion and debate. The workshop concluded with a summary of all the topics reflected in the individual papers presented.

Representing a significant contribution to furthering the science of counterterrorism, this book will be of interest to all whose work involves aspects of Critical Infrastructure Protection and the terrorist threat to infrastructure.