ATLANTIS: CoESS Contributes to a Landmark EU Project on Systemic Resilience and Integrated Security Standards
As threats to Critical Infrastructure (CI) continue to evolve across physical, cyber, and natural (extreme weather events) domains, the need for integrated, strategic approaches to resilience has never been more pressing. CoESS is proud to contribute to this conversation through its involvement in the EU-funded project ATLANTIS, a major Horizon Europe initiative bringing together 39 European partners.
ATLANTIS aims to enhance the Cyber-Physical-Human (CPH) security and systemic resilience of Europe’s most essential infrastructure by addressing interconnected risks and vulnerabilities. The project focuses on systemic, rather than siloed, approaches — with the goal of preserving continuity of operations and minimizing cascading effects across infrastructures, environments, and populations.
CoESS Input: Standards, Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships
CoESS was invited to participate in the ATLANTIS Policy Task Force, which is preparing a high-impact policy brief for dissemination to EU institutions, policymakers, academia, and business. CoESS has been asked to contribute to the section titled:
“From Threats to Resilience: A Strategic Roadmap for Strengthening European Critical Infrastructure Through Integrated Security Standards, Risk Management, and Public-Private Collaboration.”
This theme aligns perfectly with CoESS’ core mission and longstanding advocacy for quality-based procurement, risk-informed policymaking, and security standards development. As Chair of CEN/TC 439, CoESS Director General Catherine Piana will provide expertise on the strategic role of standards such as EN 17483, and how these tools enable operators and buyers to select high-quality, professional private security providers — especially in high-risk sectors.
Policy Impact at European Level
The ATLANTIS policy briefs will be formally presented at the project’s final event in Brussels in September 2025, where their conclusions will help shape discussions on EU resilience strategies and tools. With experts also contributing from the UN University (UNU-CRIS) and the EU SUNRISE project, the initiative represents a cross-sectoral and international effort to future-proof Europe’s infrastructure.
For CoESS, participation in ATLANTIS is part of a broader strategy to bring its expertise on standards, quality, and Public-Private Partnerships into major European research and policy initiatives. It further reinforces the Confederation’s position as a trusted partner and reference both in the regulatory and operational domains of Critical Infrastructure Protection.