Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
the 13 critical infrastructure sectors and five key asset categories). An interdepen-
dencies assessment typically identifies the direct infrastructure linkages between
and among both the internal infrastructures at a site as well as the linkages to
external infrastructures outside the site. The process of identifying and analyzing
these linkages requires a detailed understanding of how the components of each
infrastructure and their associated functions or activities depend on, or are sup-
ported by, each of the other infrastructures. For example, a supervisory control
and data acquisition (SCADA) system that operates a natural gas pipeline depends
on the local electric power and telecommunications infrastructures to function.
The failure of a separate, external infrastructure could prevent the SCADA sys-
tem from operating, thus impacting natural gas deliveries to or within a system.
Interdependencies can create subtle interactions and feedback mechanisms that
often lead to unintended behaviors and consequences, including the potential dis-
ruption of critical infrastructures.
Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources
Attacks on CI-KR could significantly disrupt the functioning of government
and business alike and produce cascading effects far beyond the targeted sector
and physical location of the incident (see Figure 8.1). Direct terrorist attacks and
natural, man-made, or technological hazards could produce catastrophic losses
in terms of human casualties, property destruction, and economic effects, as
Critical infrastructure and key resources
Existing
counter-
measures
Identify vulnerabilities
Threats
Analyze risks
(Threats, vulnerabilities, consequences)
Implement protective measures
Reduced vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks
Figure 8.1
Protective security process for critical infrastructures and key
resources.
