The aim of the GEO-IKT study was to identify and strengthen an Austrian stakeholder community in the field of critical infrastructure protection (CIP). It turned out that such a community did not exist as such, at least not under a common terminology, and while lacking a widely agreed understanding of CIP.  The study identified research, industry and public authorities in the field of security research concerning the protection of critical infrastructures with a focus on spatial data and solutions. The scientific part of the study highlighted innovative geospatial (Geoinformatics) methods for the future. Based on various expert interviews the state of the art was assessed. In essence, in Austria the CIP is highly fragmented, dominated by the respective Federal and provincial authorities with somewhat overlapping information status. Another aim of the GEO-IKT study was to initiate one step further to strengthen Austria in its role within the European network of Excellence in the field of Geoinformatics and security research. Despite the fact it was difficult to get in-depth interviews and despite the fact that almost all information was classified or was treated like being classified a good overview of the CIP relevant actors in Austria could be gained, exemplary benefits from recent research could be demonstrated to some stakeholders and a compact overall status report could be released.

Duration:
1.6.2007 bis 30.6.2008

Project leader:
Z_GIS Zentrum für Geoinformatik, Universität Salzburg

Project partner:
HiTec Marketing
Austrian Research Centers - arsenal research

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Thomas Blaschke
Universität Salzburg, Zentrum für Geoinformatik
Hellbrunner Str. 34
5020 Salzburg
Tel. 0662 908585-216
thomas.blaschke@sbg.ac.at