From European critical infrastructure protection to the resilience of European critical entities: Analysis of events and actors leading to the EU-RCE

Seminar paper from the year 2023 in the subject Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: 1,0, University of applied Sciences Regensburg (Angewandte Natur- und Kulturwissenschaften), course: European Politics and Institutions, language: English, abstract: Critical infrastructures are essential for the smooth functioning of highly developed societies, providing crucial services that society heavily relies upon. However, their interconnected and complex nature makes them susceptible to failures and disruptions. The paper analyzes the events and actors that led to the adoption of the European Resilience of Critical EntitiesDirective (RCED) in 2022, which signifies a shift from a "protection" to a "resilience" approach in European legislation. Using the policy cycle framework, the paper examines the initial agenda setting, evaluation of the European Critical Infrastructure Directive (ECID), and the problem definition and agenda setting for the RCED. The evaluation of the ECID reveals implementation weaknesses and emphasizes the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to critical infrastructure protection. Stakeholder consultations and evaluations highlight the importance of updating the ECID to address the interdependencies of critical infrastructures. The European Commission proposes policy options, with a preference for enhancing the resilience of critical entities and ensuring the uninterrupted provision of essential services. However, the concept of resilience in EU legislation needs further clarification. Overall, this paper provides insights into the necessity of critical infrastructure protection and the shift towards a resilience-oriented approach in European legislation.