Austria rehearses response to threats against energy infrastructure

Austria’s Interior Ministry and power producer Verbund are conducting exercises to protect critical infrastructure, including a drill at Verbund’s headquarters on Am Hof in central Vienna, ORF reports.

The exercises, taking place this week in Vienna and other federal states, are designed to test and improve existing plans and train staff. Participants are practising information sharing, crisis management and operational procedures in response to threats such as cyberattacks and sabotage.

Numerous forces, including special units, will take part in the Vienna exercise. Some parts will be visible to the public, with barriers set up at Am Hof.

The drills come against a backdrop of increasing security incidents in Europe, including drone flights, cyberattacks and suspected sabotage. Interior Ministry units involved include regional police directorates, the Directorate for Special Forces, the Federal Police Directorate and parts of the Directorate for State Security and Intelligence.