Europe’s digital infrastructure faces “growing resilience risks”

The study argues that resilience should be embedded in ICT systems from the earliest planning and design stages. Image: Adobe Stock

The warning comes with the launch of a new EFCA report examining vulnerabilities across Europe’s digital systems and supply chains, and outlining steps to strengthen resilience as dependence on digital infrastructure continues to grow.

“ICT resilience is Europe’s new competitiveness frontier,” said Inés Ferguson, president of EFCA. “The report highlights Europe’s unique opportunity to take the lead in this strategic domain, through ‘resilience-by-design’, quality based procurement, interoperable standards and investment in skills.”

The report, Engineering Resilience: Current Challenges, Risks and Recommendations for the ICT Sector in Europe, was developed by EFCA’s Future Trends Committee in cooperation with the University of Marburg. It assesses the current state of Europe’s ICT sector, identifying weaknesses linked to ageing infrastructure, skills shortages, market fragmentation and reliance on non-European providers.

EFCA said disruptions to digital systems could have cascading impacts across sectors such as energy, transport, water, finance and healthcare, increasing Europe’s exposure to both natural and man-made threats.

The study argues that resilience should be embedded in ICT systems from the earliest planning and design stages, rather than added retrospectively. Consulting engineers are identified as playing a central role in integrating cyber, physical and climate resilience into system architecture.

“Resilient ICT is a force multiplier for critical infrastructure. Engineer it right, and everything connected to it becomes more resilient,” added Jeffrey Seeck, chair of EFCA’s Future Trends Committee.

Alongside recommendations for the engineering community, the report calls on EU and national policymakers to support long-term investment in ICT infrastructure, ensure consistent implementation of existing resilience and cybersecurity legislation, and create procurement frameworks that prioritise quality, innovation and resilience.

EFCA said the report is intended to contribute to ongoing discussions with European and national decision-makers as part of its wider Future Trends programme.

The report can be downloaded here.