Identification of National Critical Infrastructures : DSO comply with European Council Directive 2008/114/EC

The subject addressed in the paper is about the identification of National Critical Infrastructures (NCI). The focus is the result of the responsibilities of EDP Distribuição, the Portuguese mainland Electrical Distribution System Operator (DSO) serving over 6 million customers in a regulated business with clearly defined tasks, to comply with the transposition to the Portuguese legislation of the European Council Directive 2008/114/EC. Having EDP Distribuição under their responsibility several assets and systems which are essential for the maintenance of vital societal functions, health, safety, security, economic and social well-being of people, the ones considered national critical were selected, from a set of more than 400 main premises. Has been identified their major threats and vulnerabilities, which resulted in emergency response procedures named “Operator Security Plan”.