With a degree in Physics from the university of Rome "La Sapienza" in 1972, Sandro Bologna has worked in Italy and overseas, as director of research and head of both national and international projects. For many years he has occupied himself with problems of security, the importance of safety, and the ICT systems for the correct application for the energy and transport sectors. He is particularly involved in the area of protection and safety of critical energy infrastructure and ICT.

Professor, in particular what does the Association, for which you are the president, specifically focus on?

The association's goal is that of promoting research, education, analysis, information and awareness, in the areas of critical infrastructure, focusing on issues of safety and input and output.The association puts forth these ideas in order to reach goals, to:

a-    Promote the knowledge and spread of the ideas which relate to critical infrastructure through meetings and conventions, workshops, round table discussions, conferences, technical visits, and the exchange of information between specialists,
b-    Promote the circulation of information relative to the themes of critical infrastructure and their safety through seminars, cultural events and workshops,
c-    Promote scientific and technological research, in the field of critical infrastructure through agreements with universities, research institutes and all other companies in this field.
d-    Develop further education in terms of both undergraduate and postgraduate learning and ongoing development for those who work in this field,
e-    Collaborate with international and national organizations, governmental, technical and scientific institutions, that work in the field of critical infrastructure,
f-    To help in the connection between the many relevant industries as well as those involved with the current research, or with those interested in the subject, and the political decision makers at the national and international level.
g-    Publish newsletters, magazines, meeting minutes, reports which are relevant to critical infrastructure and the issues related to them.

What does one mean by critical infrastructure and why is ENAV important in this context?

The directive 2008/114/CE determines the procedure for the identification and assignment of the European critical infrastructures and the evaluation of the necessity to improve the protection as well as the method of evaluation of security of these infrastructures and the minimum requirements for protection against human threats, accidental or voluntary, technological and from natural disasters. The infrastructure will be deemed critical infrastructure if it is essential for the maintenance of everyday life, the health, safety and well being of the population. If this infrastructure is in anyway damaged there will be a negative impact on day-to-day life and the economy. ENAV contributes to the efficacy of the national transport system guaranteeing safety and punctuality in Italian air space and all of its different functions.

How does ENAV protect its infrastructure with relation to the introduction  of the European Directive 2008/114/CE?
Through the preparation of a Secure Operating Plan (PSO - and the appointment of a liaison officer with qualified authority.  The Secure Operating Plan identifies the elements that make up the critical infrastructure demonstrating for every one of these elements, the existing security solutions and specifically those that are in use.