The 4th CIP Week in Europe, organised by the International Association of CIP Professionals, with the 11th Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe (CIPRE) conference has successfully concluded in Brussels, bringing together 250 delegates from 36 countries across Europe and beyond for three days of high-level discussions, knowledge sharing and international collaboration on the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure.
With over 70 expert speakers, the conference delivered an extensive programme of keynote presentations, panel discussions and specialist sessions and workshops addressing the increasingly complex challenges facing critical infrastructure operators, policymakers, government agencies and security professionals, the conference reinforced its position as a leading European forum for critical infrastructure security, protection and resilience professionals.
Discussions covered a broad range of pressing issues, including the implementation of Europe’s Critical Entities Resilience (CER) and NIS2 Directives, cyber-physical security, cross-sector interdependencies, emerging threats, climate-related risks, crisis management and the growing importance of international cooperation in strengthening infrastructure resilience.
A central theme throughout the conference was the need to move beyond individual infrastructure protection towards a more integrated, collaborative approach to resilience, recognising the cascading consequences of disruptions across interconnected essential services and national borders.
Innovation and Technology in the Spotlight
Complementing the conference programme, the Exhibition provided an important showcase for leading technology providers and solution specialists, presenting innovative products, systems and capabilities designed to enhance the security, protection and operational resilience of critical infrastructure.
The exhibition offered delegates valuable opportunities to engage directly with technology developers, discuss operational requirements and discover emerging solutions to address both physical and cyber threats.
The combination of strategic conference discussions and practical technology demonstrations created a dynamic environment for exchanging ideas, building partnerships and identifying new approaches to protecting Europe’s essential services.
Strengthening International Collaboration
The participation of delegates from 36 countries highlighted the increasingly international nature of critical infrastructure protection and the importance of cooperation across borders, sectors and disciplines.
Throughout the three days, representatives from government, infrastructure operators, industry, academia and the wider security community shared experiences, lessons learned and best practices, helping bridge the gap between policy, operational requirements and technological innovation.
The event also provided extensive networking opportunities, strengthening professional relationships and encouraging continued dialogue between stakeholders responsible for safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
John Donlon, IACIPP Chairman, commented, “The success of CIPRE 2026 reflects the growing recognition that critical infrastructure protection and resilience cannot be addressed in isolation. The quality of discussions, the exchange of practical experiences and the innovative technologies showcased throughout the exhibition underline the importance of bringing policymakers, operators and solution providers together. As threats become increasingly interconnected and complex, collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential to building more resilient infrastructure and societies.”
Building on the Success of CIPRE 2026
The successful conclusion of this year’s conference further strengthens CIPRE’s role as a key meeting point for Europe’s critical infrastructure protection and resilience community.
With the implementation of new regulatory requirements, evolving geopolitical threats and increasing dependencies between essential services, the need for sustained engagement between governments, infrastructure operators and industry has never been greater.
Building on the momentum generated in Brussels, CIPRE and IACIPP will continue to promote international cooperation, professional knowledge exchange and the development of practical strategies to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.