The law introduces the concept of vital functions of the state – processes that have a key impact on the functioning of the country and the interruption of which may threaten human life and health or cause significant damage to the economy, the environment, public order and national security.
It also establishes a comprehensive risk assessment process that identifies potential threats, vulnerabilities and hazards that could lead to incidents, disruption or destruction of national critical infrastructure.
Who is responsible for what
The manager of the national critical infrastructure-the owner, operator, or administrator of the facility, regardless of ownership-is ultimately responsible for its operation and protection.
At the same time, the law pays special attention to information: information classified as a state secret relating to critical infrastructure facilities is protected by the law on state secrets. There is also a category of sensitive information on infrastructure protection, the disclosure of which could be used to plan actions that could disrupt or destroy the operation of these facilities.
As part of the implementation of the law, the Inspectorate of Operational Management under the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched a public consultation on a draft government decree that defines which state bodies will be officially responsible for the protection of various critical infrastructure sectors.
The implementation of the law is also an important step in Moldova’s European integration, as the actions envisioned by the law serve as a preparation for the implementation of the EU Directive on the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure. The Directive aims to ensure the resilience and security of all critical infrastructure, minimizing the risks of accidents, cyber attacks and other threats that could affect the lives of citizens and the functioning of the state.
