Critical Infrastructures: The Operational Environment in Cases of Severe Disruption

The functioning and resilience of modern societies have become more and more dependent on critical infrastructures. Severe disturbance to critical infrastructure is likely to reveal chaotic operational conditions, in which infrastructure service providers, emergency services, police, municipalities, and other key stakeholders must act effectively to minimize damages and restore normal operations. This paper aims to better understand this kind of operational environment resulting from, for example, a terrorist attack. It emphasizes mutual interdependencies among key stakeholders in such situations. The empirical contribution is based on observations from a workshop, in which participants representing the critical services and infrastructures in Finland discussed in thematic groups. Two scenarios guided the workshop discussions; nationwide electricity grid disruption and presumably intentionally contaminated water supply in a city. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to the interdependencies between critical infrastructures, as well as to the latent vulnerabilities hidden inside the systems. Furthermore, producing security seems to require continuous interaction and creation of meanings between extremely different actors and logics. This implies a need for changes in thinking, particularly concerning the ability to define problems across conventional administrative structures, geographical boundaries and conferred powers.

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Maintenance in Critical Infrastructures

Optimum Decision Making in Asset Management - Advances in Logistics, Operations, and Management Science ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0651-5.ch003 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 62-82

Author(s):

Patricia Maraña ◽

Leire Labaka ◽

Jose Mari Sarriegi

Keyword(s):

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Service Providers ◽

Crisis Response ◽

Public Private Partnerships ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Critical Infrastructure Protection ◽

Infrastructure Protection ◽

Basic Service ◽

Maintenance Activities ◽

Privately Owned

The increase in the frequency of disastrous events and society's dependence on Critical Infrastructures (CIs) has led to greater concern about the need to increase resilience in order to improve Critical Infrastructure Protection. CIs are basic service providers for society and they need to be effectively protected against hazards. Nowadays, CIs can be owned by private entities. However, although they can be privately owned or managed, they provide a public service that directly affects the whole society. Consequently, those activities that increase the overall resilience level of CIs need to be under the supervision of public entities. Increasing resilience requires special attention be paid to correct infrastructure and crisis response equipment maintenance. This chapter explains why effective Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) are valuable for correctly maintaining CIs and illustrates examples of real situations that demonstrate the need for effective PPPs in maintenance activities.

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Cyber Readiness

International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism ◽

10.4018/ijcwt.2014070102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 11-26

Author(s):

John S. Hurley ◽

H. Mark McGibbon ◽

Roxanne Everetts

Keyword(s):

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Energy Sector ◽

Terrorist Attacks ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Security Issues ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

User Communities ◽

The World ◽

Information Assets ◽

The Impact

Many of the systems that control the critical infrastructure were not originally designed with security in mind. This has left us vulnerable to unwanted attacks in many of the environments. It has become essential that the authors determine if their infrastructures are better prepared for existing and future threats. In this study, the authors will examine the impact of attacks, including terrorist attacks on critical infrastructures, in particular, the Energy sector. The results show that in spite of the warnings of the threats carried out in various sectors and organizations around the world, they have still remain extremely vulnerable because of a number of critical security issues that hamper their ability to better serve and protect our vital information assets. The authors examine some of the most prominent models being used today and how they may be modified to better serve the needs of their user communities and key stakeholders.

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CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN MODERN SOCIETIES – PROTECTION, SAFETY, SECURITY

STRATEGIES XXI - Command and Staff College ◽

10.53477/2668-2028-21-51 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 389-398

Author(s):

Georgiana-Cătălina CHIȚAC

Keyword(s):

Power Systems ◽

National Security ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Modern Society ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Point Of View ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Human Society ◽

New Perspective

Abstract: Nowadays, the modern security environment has it foundation based on some vital pilons, that are also important for the normal functionality of the modern society. This paper will offer a new perspective on critical infrastructure protection, defining the relationships that take place freely in a modern society. The international security could be analyzed from functional (systemic) and structural points of view. From the systemic point of view, the global security is characterized by five major systems: political, economic, social (socio-demographic), cultural and ecological. From the structural point of view, besides the above systems there are other ones: military, intelligence, communications and infrastructure (the critical infrastructure, health, financial, culture, education and research). There are certain infrastructures such as: telecommunications, transports, systems of power or water supply, IT systems, diverse systems and emergency services, that are actually fundamental to a prosperous economy and therefore critical to the development of human society. Telecommunications, power systems and transport infrastructures are essential infrastructures that ensure not only the mobility, but also the adequate performance of the armed forces, which is one more reason for which these infrastructures are critical. The degree of development and resilience of national and European critical infrastructures is essential for the economic growth and for ensuring the security and welfare of society on the whole. Therefore, the modern national security, seen as a system or a structure, has been passing through a reform and modernization process in order to adapt to the challenges of the 21st Century and the requirements triggered by North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union memberships, and not only. In this context there is a need for some security politics and strategy which could increase the national security condition.

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Urban preparedness for critical infrastructures disruptions from an end user perspective

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21701 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Simone Sandholz ◽

Dominic Sett

Keyword(s):

Natural Hazards ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Household Survey ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Interdependent Network ◽

Challenges And Opportunities ◽

Damage Impact

Critical infrastructures, such as energy, water and ICT supply are the backbone of societies. Especially in urban contexts, peoples&#8217; dependency on the increasingly complex and interdependent network of critical infrastructures is daunting. However, a majority of inhabitants is rather unaware of related implications and risks, leaving individuals largely unprepared and highly vulnerable to potential critical infrastructure disruptions or failures. This is particularly true for developed countries with high supply security.In addition, current discourses on safe and affordable operations of CI are mostly limited to the engineered part such as roads or electricity lines while hardly dealing with the soft components, namely coping capacities to overcome potential outages. With more frequent and intense occurrence of natural hazards the combination of CI complexity, dependency and unawareness poses a growing threat to urban populations with major implications for local disaster management actors and emergency services.Based on comprehensive literature and policy analyses and this contribution will elaborate on challenges and opportunities of reducing natural hazards&#8217; impacts on urban areas by extending assessments of critical infrastructure exposure to &#8220;soft&#8221; components, focusing on impacts on end users. Data from a major household survey conducted in a German city will be used to present and discuss damage impact types, their interlinkages as well as potential pathways towards risk reduction.

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Attack Categorisation for IoT Applications in Critical Infrastructures, a Survey

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11167228 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (16) ◽

pp. 7228

Author(s):

Edward Staddon ◽

Valeria Loscri ◽

Nathalie Mitton

Keyword(s):

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Attack Detection ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Cyber Attack ◽

Specific System ◽

Iot Applications ◽

War Zone ◽

Clear Vision ◽

The Internet Of Things ◽

Do So

With the ever advancing expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) into our everyday lives, the number of attack possibilities increases. Furthermore, with the incorporation of the IoT into Critical Infrastructure (CI) hardware and applications, the protection of not only the systems but the citizens themselves has become paramount. To do so, specialists must be able to gain a foothold in the ongoing cyber attack war-zone. By organising the various attacks against their systems, these specialists can not only gain a quick overview of what they might expect but also gain knowledge into the specifications of the attacks based on the categorisation method used. This paper presents a glimpse into the area of IoT Critical Infrastructure security as well as an overview and analysis of attack categorisation methodologies in the context of wireless IoT-based Critical Infrastructure applications. We believe this can be a guide to aid further researchers in their choice of adapted categorisation approaches. Indeed, adapting appropriated categorisation leads to a quicker attack detection, identification, and recovery. It is, thus, paramount to have a clear vision of the threat landscapes of a specific system.

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Development of clinical guidelines for service provision of functional electrical stimulation to support walking: mixed method exploration of stakeholder views

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/s12883-021-02299-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

C Bulley ◽

C Meagher ◽

T Street ◽

A Adonis ◽

C Peace ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Functional Electrical Stimulation ◽

Clinical Guidelines ◽

Service Provision ◽

Clinical Guideline ◽

Service Providers ◽

Delphi Consensus ◽

Stakeholder Views ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background Over the past 20 years Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) has grown in clinical use to support walking in people with lower limb weakness or paralysis due to upper motor neuron lesions. Despite growing consensus regarding its benefits, provision across the UK and internationally is variable. This study aimed to explore stakeholder views relating to the value of a clinical guideline focusing on service provision of FES to support walking, how people might use it and what should be included. Methods A mixed methods exploration sought the views of key stakeholders. A pragmatic online survey (n = 223) focusing on the study aim was developed and distributed to the email distribution list of the UK Association for Chartered Physiotherapists Interested in Neurology (ACPIN). In parallel, a qualitative service evaluation and patient public involvement consultation was conducted. Two group, and seven individual interviews were conducted with: FES-users (n = 6), their family and carers (n = 3), physiotherapists (n = 4), service providers/developers (n = 2), researchers (n = 1) and distributors of FES (n = 1). Descriptive analysis of quantitative data and framework analysis of qualitative data were conducted. Results Support for clinical guideline development was clear in the qualitative interviews and the survey results. Survey respondents most strongly endorsed possible uses of the clinical guideline as ensuring best practice and supporting people seeking access to a FES service. Data analysis and synthesis provided clear areas for inclusion in the clinical guidelines, including current research evidence and consensus relating to who is most likely to benefit and optimal service provision as well as pathways to access this. Specific areas for further investigation were summarised for inclusion in the first stage of a Delphi consensus study. Conclusions Key stakeholders believe in the value of a clinical guideline that focuses on the different stages of service provision for FES to support walking. A Delphi consensus study is being planned based on the findings.

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Modelling improved efficiency in healthcare referral systems for the urban poor using a geo-referenced health facility data: the case of Sylhet City Corporation, Bangladesh

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09594-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Alayne M. Adams ◽

Rushdia Ahmed ◽

Shakil Ahmed ◽

Sifat Shahana Yusuf ◽

Rubana Islam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critical Care ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Emergency Services ◽

Census Data ◽

Service Providers ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Care Services ◽

Referral Systems ◽

Alternative Scenarios

Abstract Background An effective referral system is critical to ensuring access to appropriate and timely healthcare services. In pluralistic healthcare systems such as Bangladesh, referral inefficiencies due to distance, diversion to inappropriate facilities and unsuitable hours of service are common, particularly for the urban poor. This study explores the reported referral networks of urban facilities and models alternative scenarios that increase referral efficiency in terms of distance and service hours. Methods Road network and geo-referenced facility census data from Sylhet City Corporation were used to examine referral linkages between public, private and NGO facilities for maternal and emergency/critical care services, respectively. Geographic distances were calculated using ArcGIS Network Analyst extension through a “distance matrix” which was imported into a relational database. For each reported referral linkage, an alternative referral destination was identified that provided the same service at a closer distance as indicated by facility geo-location and distance analysis. Independent sample t-tests with unequal variances were performed to analyze differences in distance for each alternate scenario modelled. Results The large majority of reported referrals were received by public facilities. Taking into account distance, cost and hours of service, alternative scenarios for emergency services can augment referral efficiencies by 1.5–1.9 km (p < 0.05) compared to 2.5–2.7 km in the current scenario. For maternal health services, modeled alternate referrals enabled greater referral efficiency if directed to private and NGO-managed facilities, while still ensuring availability after working-hours. These referral alternatives also decreased the burden on Sylhet City’s major public tertiary hospital, where most referrals were directed. Nevertheless, associated costs may be disadvantageous for the urban poor. Conclusions For both maternal and emergency/critical care services, significant distance reductions can be achieved for public, NGO and private facilities that avert burden on Sylhet City’s largest public tertiary hospital. GIS-informed analyses can help strengthen coordination between service providers and contribute to more effective and equitable referral systems in Bangladesh and similar countries.

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Synthetic Environments for Investigating Collaborative Information Seeking: An Application in Emergency Restoration of Critical Infrastructures

Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management ◽

10.1515/jhsem-2014-0083 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Mendonça ◽

William A. Wallace ◽

Barbara Cutler ◽

James Brooks

Keyword(s):

Information Seeking ◽

Large Scale ◽

Critical Infrastructure ◽

Future Research ◽

Critical Infrastructures ◽

Close Collaboration ◽

Number Of Factors ◽

Computer Based ◽

Collaborative Information Seeking ◽

Post Disaster

AbstractLarge-scale disasters can produce profound disruptions in the fabric of interdependent critical infrastructure systems such as water, telecommunications and electric power. The work of post-disaster infrastructure restoration typically requires information sharing and close collaboration across these sectors; yet – due to a number of factors – the means to investigate decision making phenomena associated with these activities are limited. This paper motivates and describes the design and implementation of a computer-based synthetic environment for investigating collaborative information seeking in the performance of a (simulated) infrastructure restoration task. The main contributions of this work are twofold. First, it develops a set of theoretically grounded measures of collaborative information seeking processes and embeds them within a computer-based system. Second, it suggests how these data may be organized and modeled to yield insights into information seeking processes in the performance of a complex, collaborative task. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications of this work for practice and for future research.

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