4. Recalls that a high level of network and information security is required not only in order to maintain services that are essential to the smooth functioning of society and the economy, but also to safeguard the physical integrity of citizens by enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and secure functioning of critical infrastructures; stresses that, while the security of networks and information must be addressed, improving physical security is also an important issue; emphasises that infrastructure should be resilient to both intentional and unintentional disruptions; stresses that, in this respect, the cyber-security strategy sh ...[+++]ould put greater emphasis on the common causes of unintentional system failures;

Later this year, following the preliminary results of a study on the feasibility of the critical infrastructure warning information network , the Commission will submit a proposal for a Council Decision on this matter.

The Commission also believes that Europol should play a major role in the establishment of the European Programme for Critical Infrastructure Protection (EPCIP) whose preparation it aims to complete in the course of 2005.

*) In the case of electromechanical electricity meters, no critical change values are defined for harmonic contents in the current circuits and for DC and harmonics in the current circuit

The Commission is aware of some criticism with regard to the effectiveness and speed of the standards developing process, in particular in those areas of new technologies such as ICT where quick standardisation development is necessary in order to meet the requirements of the rapidly changing market conditions.

I assume that the Italian educational authorities are already fully appraised of the criticism, but the impression I am getting is that this has not convinced them of the need to do things differently from now on.