Fight against terrorism: Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network (CIWIN)
The European Parliament adopted by 599 votes to 38, with 35 abstentions, a legislative resolution amending, under the consultation procedure, the proposal for a Council decision on a Critical Infrastructure Warning Information Network (CIWIN).
The main amendments were as follows:
Rapid Alert System: the text is amended so that references to an alert system are deleted. Parliament felt that further analysis and evaluation is needed. The text states that the first evaluation of CIWIN should also include an in-depth analysis of the necessity of adding a new functionality to CIWIN, namely the technical facility of a rapid alert system (RAS). This functionality should enable Member States and the Commission to post alerts on immediate risks and threats to critical infrastructure, taking into account all the necessary security requirements.
Participation: the text is amended in order to render the participation of Member States obligatory. Parliament deletes references to "Participating Member State" and “Participation”.
Functionality and structure: the resolution adds that the technical platform for CIWIN shall be present in at least one secure location in each Member State .
Annex I contains a list of fixed areas, but this does not preclude the inclusion of new areas if the functioning of the system demonstrates that this is necessary.
Role of the Commission: the Commission shall monitor the functioning of the CIWIN system.
Security: a new clause states that in Member States, the exchange of sensitive information uploaded onto CIWIN between authorised users and third parties shall be subject to the prior authorisation of the owner of that information and shall take place in accordance with relevant Community and national law.
Requirements relating to information included in CIWIN: a new article states that for any information or documents uploaded in the system an automatic translation will be possible. The Commission shall, in collaboration with CIP contact points, develop a list of key words for each sector which could be used when uploading or searching for information in CIWIN.
User Guidelines: these will be established in accordance with the advisory procedure.
Report: the Commission, using specially developed indicators for monitoring progress, shall review and evaluate the operation of the CIWIN every 3 years. It will report, inter alia, to the European Parliament, the Committee of Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee, and will, in particular, assess the participation of each Member State in the CIWIN system as well as the possibility of upgrading CIWIN to include a RAS functionality.
Lastly, the date of effect should be the date of publication in the OJ rather than 1 January 2009.