The ninth edition of the INESC TEC Autumn Forum focuses on “Critical infrastructures: Security and Resilience”. The event will take place on November 12, at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. Registration is open until November 1 – click here.
What are critical infrastructures?
The term “critical infrastructures” is used to define systems, assets and networks that are vital to the adequate functioning of a society and the economy; if interrupted or destroyed, it could have a significant impact on national security, public health and, consequently, on the general well-being of the population. In this sense, protecting said infrastructures is vital to the resilience and security of a country.
Infrastructures can be physical or technological, and include sectors like energy – electricity, oil and gas -, communications – telecommunications, Internet -, transportation – roads, railways, airports -, water – supply and sanitation -, healthcare – hospitals, healthcare systems -, and other fundamental services.
“To discuss relevant aspects associated with this issue, INESC TEC invited a group of key experts – from the national and international community – to improve knowledge and raise awareness of issues at the centre stage of public debate, due to climate change and political tensions”, explained Pedro Guedes de Oliveira, Consultant to the Chairperson and President of the Forum’s Organising Committee since 2015.
The INESC TEC Autumn Forum – an annual initiative aimed at discussing topics of national interest, strongly influenced by science and technology – will feature two keynote speeches during the morning; the first will feature Ben Kutcha (National Grid, United Kingdom), and the second José Manuel Costa (National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection).
The event will also include two panels in the afternoon. The first will focus on technological physical infrastructures and the second on physical infrastructures. The first session (moderated by Clara Gouveia, member of INESC TEC Board of Directors) will feature three national institutions: ANACOM, E-REDES and CNCS (National Cybersecurity Centre). The second panel (moderated by Teresa Sá Marques – Faculty of Arts and Humanities of University of Porto) will feature three major companies: NAV Portugal, Águas de Portugal and Infraestruturas de Portugal.
It is up to the Público newspaper, as a media partner of this initiative since its establishment, to wrap up the discussions – followed by João Claro, Chairman of the Board and CEO of INESC TEC. The event will welcome Miguel Pinto Luz, the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing.
About the Autumn Forum
The INESC TEC Autumn Forum – with this year’s edition dedicated to critical infrastructures -, is an annual initiative that aims to promote a space to discuss major topics concerning the economy and public policies, in which science and technology play a decisive role.
The objective is to bring together relevant individuals from the national and international community, confronting civil society, economic agents, public entities, and representatives of the national science and higher education system, who provide main contributions, towards valuing knowledge and HR qualification, vital to promote a more cohesive, developed and competitive country.
More information available here: https://forumdooutono.inesctec.pt/
The researchers mentioned in this news piece are associated with INESC TEC and UP-FEUP.
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