The 3rd Annual World Summit on
Infrastructure Security
U.S. Government agencies predict vital infrastructures at risk of severe damage, on continental scale
Based on reports and studies by NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Congressional EMP Commission, the Congressional Strategic Posture Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy and the Department of Homeland Security, the United States and its friends and allies risk severe consequences and unprecedented, continent-scale damage from electromagnetic threats to our critical infrastructures.
Background
In recent years vital national infrastructures have evolved toward increasing automation, dependent on complex computer control networks and fully integrated with the electric grid. This process occurred remarkably quickly, and little has yet been done to address vulnerability to potentially catastrophic risks. As a result of new information about the scope of natural threats and new concerns about vulnerability to malicious threats, it has become clear that addressing these issues may be essential to the continued health and continuity of our nations.
Two issues have become a focus of concern.
Based on a recent U.S. National Academy of Sciences study, severe, century-class solar flares (“Severe Space Weather”) have occurred regularly in the past, and will continue in the future. If key infrastructures are not hardened, the next such flare could have world-wide, serious impact.
Based on studies in the U.S. by Congressional Commissions, the Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Department of Homeland Security, a malicious EMP attack could result in nationwide or even continent-scale damage.
Both effects can be substantially mitigated by electric grid changes. For example, in regard to Severe Space Weather, the U.S. and U.K. Science Advisers to President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron reported that, at the recent annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, scientists, planners and emergency managers from around the globe were unanimous in calling for protection of critical infrastructures, and for new and cost-effective mitigation strategies.
The 3rd Electric Infrastructure Security Summit, London
Following the EIS Summits in the U.K. Parliament, London and the U.S. Capitol Building and the Fairmont, Washington D.C. in 2010 and 2011, EISS has become a new international infrastructure security framework, enhancing international cooperation and coordination of efforts to bring this serious vulnerability under control. (For more information on EISS I and II, click on the above Past Summits tab)
The 3rd annual world summit on infrastructure security will take place in the U.K. Parliament in London on May 14 and 15, 2012. The summit, with a primary focus on steps toward securing the U.S. and allied nations’ electric grids, will bring together defense and energy secretaries / ministers, scientists, ambassadors, legislators, chairs of parliamentary defence committees and other senior government officials, as well as senior energy sector corporate executives from the U.S., the U.K. and allied countries to discuss new information on electromagnetic threats and protection options for our critical national infrastructures.
Registration for this limited-space summit is by invitation only. To register, or for more information, please fill out the adjacent form on this page.
The EIS Summit Process, an international government / NGO partnership, is hosted by the Electric Infrastructure Security Council and the Henry Jackson Society.
Sponsors
Sponsors of EIS Summit III London:
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