DCNA WG and Policy Paper on Critical Infrastructure

In 2025, a new Working Group on the Protection of Cultural Property within the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) was established by André Gazsó, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna; Andreas Obernosterer-Rupprecht, Emergency Network of Austrian Museums, Archives, and Libraries; Manfred Pinnegger, INSIRIMA GmbH; Anna Puhr, Austrian National Committee of the Blue Shield; Sabine Fauland, Austrian Museum Association, DCNA Working Group on the Protection of Cultural Property; and Christian Resch, Disaster Competence Network Austria.

​The goal of this working group, “DCNA KGS-KRITIS”, is to elevate the protection of Austria’s cultural heritage to the status of a sub- sector of Austria’s critical infrastructure.

As part of this newly formed DCNA working group, a policy paper was drafted that highlights the importance of cultural heritage protection and also addresses other key aspects of safeguarding cultural heritage. One such aspect is the connection between cultural heritage protection and the resilience of communities in the event of crises and disasters. In this regard, the UNDRR states that populations that maintain strong ties to their homeland, a strong sense of identity, and an identification with their historically developed cultural heritage and associated traditions demonstrate significantly greater resilience and capacity to act in coping with crises and disasters than is the case with populations whose cultural heritage has been destroyed or significantly damaged. In addition, this working group – which includes not only Blue Shield Austria members but also other experts in the fields of cultural property protection, security, and risk management – addresses current issues related to emergency management for museums and cultural institutions, as well as the challenges associated with the digitization of art and cultural inventories.

​Participation in official expert committees is planned for 2026 to further advance the strategic goal of legally enshrining Austrian cultural property protection as a sub-sector of the Austrian CRITIS framework.

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