The ERNCIP work programme addresses several thematic areas (TA), as identified by the ERNCIP sponsors, i.e. the European Commission and the Member States. The work is being undertaken by specific thematic working groups, each led by a coordinator. A work programme (see Projected Objectives) will be established by each thematic group (TG) and approved by the ERNCIP Office.

The current thematic areas and coordinators are:

PROJECTED OBJECTIVES OF THE THEMATIC GROUPS (TG)

Identification of Products/Solutions

Given the generality with which the ERNCIP sponsors can propose the thematic areas, it is left to the thematic group to identify and prioritise the security products/solutions that need to be dealt with, within the scope of that thematic area.

Common Test Protocols

The establishment of common test protocols will gradually create an EU common market for security products, strengthening the competitiveness of Europe internationally in that field. Detailed aims and objectives are:

• Recommend common test methodologies and protocols for testing of security solutions at EU level. Any aspect of security product design or operation relevant to CIP issues could be considered.

• Develop new test methodologies and/or harmonise existing ones as needed.

• Promote standardisation of test methods via CEN, CENELEC and other standardisation bodies.

• Investigate the possibility of drafting EU-wide recommendations for products/ solutions that may improve the protection/resilience of critical infrastructure or mitigate the risk.

Metrology

• Propose methodologies for measurement, quality assurance, calibration and metrology for qualified labs.

• Define characteristics of reference materials and calibration objects required.

Certification

• Investigate the possibility and the conditions of promoting a common certification or labelling procedure

• Recommend an EU-wide evaluation / certification / labelling procedure for such products / solutions based on the agreed requirements or standards, and assess impact.

• Recommend an EU-wide qualification scheme for labs that wish to evaluate such products / solutions.

Research and Investments

• Investigate new and innovative products / solutions

• Exchange good practice, and recommend future EU research topics.

• Identify experimental capability and expertise gaps in Europe.

ERNCIP Thematic Area Membership

The thematic areas are at the core of ERNCIP and will provide the principal means for achieving the aims of ERNCIP.

The thematic areas are embodied by the thematic groups consisting of representatives of highly qualified organisations, such as:

• Laboratories and other research facilities
• National certification bodies and accreditation bodies
• Government departments or agencies. 

Experimental facilities and labs with proven expertise in a thematic area are invited to express interest in joining that thematic group. Expertise can be measured in terms of the organisation, or individuals of an organisation, demonstrating:

• Years of relevant experience in specific competencies e.g. 10 years in CIIP and 5 years in SCADA;
• Publications or important scientific contributions in international peer-reviewed publications;
• Active attendance (e.g. chairing sessions, presenting guest speeches) at national and international conferences;
• Patents;
• Accreditations and certifications;
• Awards for excellence;
• Participation in scientific networks or in projects funded by the EU Framework Programme for R&D.
• Recommendation by the government of a Member State. 

Organisations may express their interest to the ERNCIP Office by e-mail to erncip-office(at)jrc.ec.europa.eu

There is no limit to the number of the thematic groups which an organisation can join. It is also possible to just register interest in ERNCIP without joining any thematic group.

THEMATIC GROUP MEETINGS

FORTHCOMING THEMATIC GROUP MEETINGS:

• 2nd meeting of Video Analytics and Surveillance Thematic Group, 29 April 2013;
• 2nd meeting of Applied Biometrics for CIP Thematic Group, 6-7 May 2013;
• 5th ERNCIP Non-Aviation Explosives detection Thematic Group, 17 May 2013;
• ^5th ERNCIP Chemical Biological Risks to Water Thematic group, 23-24 May 2013;
• ^6th meeting of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) Thematic Group, 16 June 2013;

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

• Kick-off meeting of the Thematic Group on Radiological Risk for Critical infrastructures. 22-23 Apr 2013;
• 3rd ERNCIP Non-Aviation Explosives detection Thematic Group, 7 March 2013;
• ^4th ERNCIP Chemical Biological Risks to Water TA Ispra, 11 February 2013;
• 2^nd meeting of Structural Resistance to Seismic Risks Thematic Group, 4 February 2013;
• 5^th meeting of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) Thematic Group, 1 February 2013;
• 1st (kick-off) meeting of Applied Biometrics for CIP Thematic Group, 10 December 2012;
• 3^rd meeting of Aviation Security Thematic Group, 13 November 2012;
• 1st (kick-off) meeting of Video Analytics and Surveillance Thematic Group, 6 November 2012;
• 17 October 2012: 4th ERNCIP Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) TG meeting at Shell, Amsterdam:
  Experts assessed the findings from the EU/US  ICS workshop, and confirmed the two main streams of its Work Programme.
• 16 October 2012: 3rd ERNCIP resistance of structures to explosion effect TA meeting at JRC ISPRA;
• 4 October 2012: 3rd ERNCIP Chemical Biological Risks to Water TA meeting at EC, Brussels;
• 4 October 2012: 2nd ERNCIP Non-Aviation Explosives detection TA meeting at JRC ISPRA;
• 10 July 2012: 2nd ERNCIP resistance of structures to explosion effect TA meeting at JRC ISPRA;
  Experts will discuss the draft work programme and identify the structure and timetable for the work steps.
  
  
• 6 July 2012: 3rd ERNCIP Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) TG meeting at JRC ISPRA;
  This Group is finalising its Work Programme for the next 3 years. The focus of the work will be on how to standardise testing protocols for Industrial Automated Control Systems (IACS) and how to establish EU-wide certification.
  
  
• 19-20 June 2012: 2nd ERNCIP Chemical & Biological Risks in the Water Sector TA meeting at JRC ISPRA;
  Experts from the Water sector from the Member States discussed improving their collaboration, and the availability of labs and reference material, in the event of contamination of drinking water.
  
  
• 14-15 June 2012: 2nd ERNCIP Aviation Security Detection Equipment TA meeting at Brussels;
  The Commission presented its Communication on the Security Industrial Policy. The Experts then discussed how to best achieve the objectives as set out in the Communication.
  
  
• 20 April 2012: 2^nd meeting of the thematic area on Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS);

• The 2nd meeting of the thematic area on IACS (formerly known as CIIP for SCADA) took place in Paris on April 20th, 2012. An outline work programme was developed.
  
  
• 16 April 2012: Kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Chemical & Biological Risks in the Water Sector;
  The kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Chemical & Biological Risks in the Water Sector was held in Ispra on April 16th, 2012. The meeting aimed to establish the Terms of Reference for this thematic area and its work program.
  
  
• 11 April 2012: Kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Explosives Detection Equipment (non-Aviation);
  The kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Explosives Detection Equipment (non-Aviation) was held in Brussels on April 11th, 2012. The meeting aimed to establish the Terms of Reference for this thematic area and its work program.
  
  
• 14 Mar 2012: Kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Resistance of structures against explosion effects;
  The kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Resistance of structures against explosion effects took place at JRC Ispra on March 14th, 2012. The meeting aimed to establish the Terms of Reference for this thematic area and its work program.
  
  
• 17 Feb 2012: Kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Aviation Security Detection Equipment;
  The kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Aviation Security Detection Equipment took place at JRC Ispra on February 17th, 2012. The meeting aimed to establish the Terms of Reference for this thematic area and its work program.
  
  
• 10 Feb 2012 Kick-off meeting for the thematic area of Structural resistance against seismic risk;
  The kick-off meeting of this group was held on 10th February 2012 in Istanbul, during the General Committee Meeting of the SERIES consortium (financed by the Capacities Programme in FP7). SERIES is a consortium of the key actors in Europe’s seismic engineering research, and the majority of the members of the thematic area will be from this group. The thematic area will focus on networking activities, fostering a sustainable culture of co-operation among all research infrastructures and teams active in European earthquake engineering.
  
  
• 3 Feb 2012: Kick-off meeting of the thematic area on Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS);
  The kick-off meeting of the thematic area on CIIP for SCADA and smart grids took place at JRC Ispra on February 3rd, 2012. See the final agenda...