Recognizing the risk that weak controls in partner nations present, the European Commission recently proposed a series of recommendations based on the risk of attack and the current structural limitations. This again points to issues of privately owned and controlled infrastructure that is critical to daily life. This article reports on the inquiry being conducted by the political oversight organization. Key questions that the politicians are asking include:

1. How vulnerable is the Internet to widespread technical failures?
2. Is the Internet industry doing enough to ensure the resilience and stability of the Internet, or is regulatory intervention unavoidable?
3. Is the European Commission's concern about cyber attacks justified, and should the military be more involved in protecting the internet?
4. Are government-operated computer emergency response teams an appropriate mechanism for dealing with internet incidents?
5. Is it sensible to develop Europe-centric approaches to response infrastructure or should there be more emphasis on a worldwide approach?

All good questions. Questions that all governments should be asking.