Enhancing Resilience of Critical Infrastructures in Europe: Insights and Recommendations from ATLANTIS and SUNRISE Projects

Resilient Critical Infrastructure (CI) is the backbone of a stable and prosperous Europe, yet it faces mounting
challenges stemming from systemic risks such as pandemics, cyber threats, climate-induced disasters,
geopolitical developments, and continuous hybrid warfare that takes place not only in traditional urban and
industrial hubs but also in remote areas such as underwater and in space. The EU-funded projects SUNRISE
and ATLANTIS have combined their expertise to address these threats, offering a comprehensive perspective
on enhancing CI resilience across the EU. Key insights from the projects highlight the critical need for
proactive collaboration among organizations, sectors, and nations to address vulnerabilities effectively. They
emphasize the importance of aligning with EU policies such as the CER and NIS2 Directives, integrating
scenario-based planning to prepare for cascading risks, and adopting data-augmented Decision Support
Systems (DSS) to enhance situational awareness and informed decision-making.
To secure the CI in Europe, the projects recommend immediate actions that focus on harmonizing standards
across sectors, fostering real-time data sharing, and encouraging joint scenario-based exercises to build
preparedness for crises. They also stress the adoption of AI-enabled DSS to manage complex risks and
optimize resources in real-time. Strengthening these frameworks will not only address current vulnerabilities
but also equip the EU to handle emerging challenges, ensuring societal stability and economic continuity.
The urgency is clear. As systemic threats grow in scale and complexity, the European Commission should act
decisively. By leveraging the findings and recommendations from SUNRISE and ATLANTIS, the EU can
spearhead a unified, innovative, and sustainable approach to CI resilience, securing a future that is safe, stable,
and adaptive to unforeseen challenges.