The main objective of this Advanced Research Workshop is to investigate the security risks to critical energy infrastructure, namely cyber and terrorist attacks, as well as to identify opportunities for public-private partnerships to meet these risks. Using the case study of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the workshop provides a unique forum to address the issue of critical infrastructure protection, which has been identified as a security priority of Georgia, the partner country in this ARW. The workshop has provided an excellent forum for experts and stakeholders from government, academia and the private sector for the exchange of information and best practices.

According to open sources (e.g. the database provided by the ETH Zurich Center for Security Studies (CSS)) critical energy infrastructure (CEI), such as oil and gas pipelines, storage infrastructures and electricity grids are becoming a target of criminal and terrorist attacks.

Since the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit Declaration, Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection (CEIP) has been identified as one of the areas of energy security where NATO can play a role, in particular through raising awareness of the topic and exchanging information and best practices. The 2010 NATO Strategic Concept confirms NATO’s role in CEIP where NATO can add value. The Strategic Concept also provides opportunities for NATO to cooperate with partners on this issue. The workshop receives strong organizational support by the Atlantic Councils of Georgia and Albania as well as the Atlantic Treaty Association. Representatives from these bodies will be leading the organizational team of the workshop.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline has been chosen as an appropriate case study as it is widely valued as an important contribution to diversify European energy supply, passing through the territories of NATO and partner countries. Ensuring its protection against potential disruptions by terrorist and/or cyber- attacks provides a valuable opportunity for collaborative efforts between NATO and partner countries to enable the stable flow of energy resources.

The ARW applied the TAP as an important case study to discuss the best practices in critical energy infrastructure protection. For this purpose, workshop brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts from relevant public authorities and the private sector. They do not only possess strong subject matter expertise but also represent the host countries of the TAP. This also includes contributions by representatives from the governmental authorities.

In dedicated panels, the workshop addressed the current state of the art in critical energy infrastructure protection against terrorist and cyber threats. It has taken stock of the protective measures for critical energy infrastructure with a focus on integrated security solutions that require close cooperation between all public and private stakeholders involved. The workshop proceeded with a panel on the value of NATO as a facilitator of public-private partnerships. The final was dedicated to the lessons learned in establishing effective security measures in the case of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline. Special attention was given to the experiences of cooperation between public and private stakeholders.

The overall findings of the workshop and concrete recommendations was collected by a side panel and presented to the participants.

In conclusion, the ARW wanted to provide added value contributions to NATO’s role in critical energy infrastructure protection and the Alliance’s Strategic Objective of Partnership.