OSCE and Mongolia organize table-top simulation on protecting critical energy infrastructure from targeted cyber attacks

ULAANBAATAR, 6 April 2016 — Strengthening protection and preparedness against cyber-attacks aimed at industrial control systems is the focus of a two-day table-top simulation starting today in Ulaanbaatar and organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department with the support of the Government of Mongolia.

More than 30 experts from relevant state authorities and the private sector, such as operators, providers and owners, will participate in this exercise to gain a hands-on experience on the vulnerabilities of non-nuclear critical energy infrastructure to terrorist attacks.

According to the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security, it is estimated that attacks emanating from cyberspace against critical infrastructure and information and communication technologies (ICT) result in annual losses in the range of 260 to 340 billion euros.

During the table-top simulation, participants will be able to test the effectiveness of their existing protection and crisis management systems, including co-ordination with external crisis management mechanisms. The simulation also aims to further improve partnerships between the public and private sectors to ensure the better protection and higher resilience of national energy infrastructures.

This table-top simulation is part of a series of national exercises developed by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department for interested OSCE participating States, based on its Good Practices Guide on Non-Nuclear Critical Energy Infrastructure Protection from Terrorist Attacks Focusing on Threats Emanating from Cyberspace.

This event also contributes to the efforts on implementing last month’s OSCE Permanent Council decision on Confidence Building Measures to Reduce the Risks of Conflict Stemming from the Use of Information and Communication Technologies.