Donald Tusk signed orders to extend the operation of emergency stages in Poland and to the Polish energy infrastructure located outside the country. This decision, which runs until 31 May of this year, aims to keep an increased level of vigilance for the services liable for State safety in the face of possible terrorist and cyber threats. What precisely does this decision mean and how will it affect the functioning of administrations and citizens? We're giving you details.
What emergency steps have been extended?
According to the Government safety Centre (RCB), 3 alert stages were extended:
- Grade BRAVO – applicable throughout the country in the event of an increased and foreseeable threat of a terrorist event.
- BRAVO-CRP grade – besides covering the territory of all Poland, concerning cybersecurity. It requires public administration to carry out enhanced monitoring of the safety of ICT systems.
- Grade BRAVO against Polish energy infrastructure located outside Poland – which indicates the request to keep peculiar vigilance in relation to strategical energy facilities belonging to Poland and located in another countries.
The decision to extend these alert levels was taken at the highest level of the executive authority, which underlines the seriousness of the situation and the government's determination to guarantee the safety of the state and its citizens.
What do the individual alert stages mean?
Grade BRAVO
The BRAVO grade, which is second on a four-stage scale, is introduced in the event of an increased and foreseeable terrorist threat. According to RCB, "this means that the services have information about a possible threat and so the public administration is obliged to stay peculiarly vigilant". In practice, this means the implementation of additional safety procedures, increased vigilance and fast consequence in the event of a real threat.
BRAVO-CRP grade
The BRAVO-CRP grade, besides second on a four-stage scale, refers specifically to threats in cyberspace. Its introduction obliges the public administration to carry out increased monitoring of the safety of ICT systems. This is peculiarly crucial in the context of the increasing cyber attacks against the critical infrastructure of European countries.
Emergency step strategy in Poland
The Polish alarm phase strategy covers 4 levels, both with respect to terrorist threats and cybersecurity. In the case of terrorist threats, we distinguish:
- ALFA – the first step, introduced in the event of information on the anticipation of a terrorist event, the nature and scope of which is hard to predict;
- BRAVO – a second step, introduced in the event of an increased and foreseeable threat of terrorist occurrence;
- CHARLIE – the 3rd step, introduced in the event of an event confirming a probable terrorist target;
- DELTA – the highest degree to be introduced in the event of an incidental of a terrorist nature or after obtaining information on the advanced probability of specified an event.
Similarly, in cybersecurity there are degrees: ALFA-CRP, BRAVO-CRP, CHARLIE-CRP and DELTA-CRP.
Context of emergency phase extensions
The decision to extend alert stages is taken in the context of the current safety situation, both in Poland and in the region. Although the authoritative communication does not contain detailed information on the circumstantial risks that affected this decision, it can be considered in the light of the general geopolitical situation, including the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine.
The extension besides applies to the emergency phase of the Polish energy infrastructure located outside the country. This may propose possible risks to strategical energy facilities, which are a key component of national and economical security.
Meaning for public administration and citizens
The extension of alert levels has direct implications for the functioning of public administration, which is required to implement appropriate safety procedures. In the case of a degree of BRAVO-CRP, this means carrying out enhanced monitoring of information systems, expanding alertness to possible cyber incidents and responding rapidly if they occur.
From a citizen's perspective, the introduction of a second alert phase does not entail crucial changes in the regular functioning. However, it is worth remembering the advice to be more vigilant, especially in public places and in relation to suspicious events or behaviours.
The Government safety Centre recalls that, in the event of the announcement of any of the emergency stages, it is the work of citizens to follow the instructions of the services and inform the applicable authorities of the suspected incidents observed. This civic vigilance is an crucial part of the state safety system, complementing the activities of professional services.
Continued here:
Tusk extends BRAVO and BRAVO-CRP alarm stages
