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Define Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources
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Critical infrastructure can be defined as systems, facilities, technologies, methodologies, assets, and services that are crucial for the effective operation of the security, health and economic sectors of the country. The infrastructure can either be interconnected across the country’s states or can be an independent body. A lack of or disruption of the infrastructure would possibly result in catastrophic events such as adverse economic effects, loss of lives, or disruption of crucial government responsibilities or a significant deterioration of the public’s confidence in the current governance. Such assets, networks, and systems that have a bearing on the security of the country are known as critical infrastructure security and are all designated
At this juncture, it may be somewhat difficult to accept the proposition that a threat to the telecommunications grid, both wired and wireless, in the United States could potentially be subject to a catastrophic cyber attack. After careful research on the subject, it appears the potentiality of an event of such magnitude, which either disrupts one or the other grids for a long period or destroys either, is both theoretically and realistically impossible. It may be that proponents—those who advance such theories—equate such “doomsday” scenarios as if a cyber attack would or could be of the same magnitude as a conventional or nuclear military strike. Terms such as “cyber Pearl Harbor,” “cyber 9/11” and “cyber Vietnam” have been used to describes potential catastrophic cyber attacks and yet, “Though many have posited notions on what a ‘real’ cyber war would be like, we lack the understanding of how such conflicts will be conducted and evolve.” (Rattray & Healey, 2010, p. 77). Yet, the U.S. government continues to focus on such events, as if the plausibility of small-scale cyber attacks were not as pressing.
1.) (3 points) The US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) publishes what are called Technical Cyber Security Alerts and Vulnerability Notes and these documents alert users to potential threats to the security of their systems. Select a Technical Security Alert or Vulnerability Note published in the last twelve months that has a network related component to it and research the reported problem and the suggested solution (if one is available.) Analyze and describe the problem, and the solution paying close attention to the network related issues that it raises. We are interested in reading your analysis, and not a cut-and-paste of what is on the website. The listing of recent Technical Security Alerts can be found at: http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/techalerts/ and the listing of Vulnerability Notes is at http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls
The developing and maintaining of a homeland security plan requires an organization to evaluate all aspects of their infrastructure, as well as, to meet their obligation to the community/public in providing protection and business continuity in the event of a terrorist attack, or any form of natural disaster. Homeland security assessments are based on meeting what has been established as the Baldrige Criteria. “Conducting a comprehensive organizational assessment based on the Baldridge Criteria for homeland security preparedness provides organizational perspective of their readiness and vulnerabilities that exist within their overall infrastructure. The Baldrige Criteria can also provide
The Department of Homeland Security’s “2014 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review” reviews six strategic challenges that are believed to be at high risk within the United States. Quadrennial Homeland Security Review is required to be updated every four years as it discusses present and futures risks, threats and consequences. The six strategic challenges that were analyzed from 2014 to 2018 are terrorist threats, cyber threats, biological concerns, nuclear terrorism, transnational criminal organizations and natural hazards. Local communities, to include counties and cities, have their own specific process tailored to the threats, hazards and risk they may encounter. These local areas also prioritize the specific threats to determine the resources
Critical infrastructure protection (CIP) is a concept that relates to the preparedness and response to serious incidents that involve the critical infrastructure of a region or nation. Eliminating threats is impossible, so protecting against them without disrupting business innovation and growth is a
...the nation’s critical infrastructure. With the creation of the DHS the government has shown that they are investing money and resources into protecting our nation’s infrastructure.
Although an act of cyberterrorism has yet to occur, officials and scholars continuously study the possibilities of such an attack. As our physical and virtual worlds continue to intertwine the risk of such an event rapidly increases. Everything from our transportation systems to pharmaceutical manufacturing are computer controlled. The closest the world has come to an act of cyberterrorism was in 2000. Known as the Maroochy Shire case in Queensland, Australia was committed by Vitek Boden. Boden was an engineer for Pacific Paradise, a sewage pumping in Australia. He was able to successful hack into a control system modifying the operations and dumping millions of litres of raw sewage into the local waterways. Boden’s motivation was the only reason the act was not classified as cyberterrorism was his motivation. It was personal rather than political or religious in nature (Sharp Parker, 2009). The only reason this wasn’t the first act of cyberterrorism was motivation. As companies invest in upgrading their technological capabilities, they too need to invest in security structure to protect their systems and the public from threats of terrorism. Our government must also decide how to address public safety in regards to cyberterrorism. On September 11th, 2001 America was reminded how vulnerable we are when it comes to acts of terrorism. The sheer complexity and varying design of attacks often makes it very difficult to create a catch-all defense in fighting terrorism. To improve the disruption of terrorist activities by government agencies in the United States many laws needed to be updated to include the latest areas of electronic communications.
The recent horrific attacks on France highlighted one of the number one threats to Homeland Security, which is the evolving terrorist. The Evolving terrorist threat is of major concern since 9/11 because “its demonstrated and continued interest in advancing plots to attack the United States” (). A major concern in this area for the United States is the propaganda that is used to motivate individuals who have not participated in terrorist activities or traveled to conflict zones, teaching and training them to plot and carry out attacks on civilian populations. Another huge concern to Homeland security is the threat to our cyber-physical infrastructure. “A vast array of interdependent information technology network, systems, services, and resources enable communication, facilitate travel, power our homes, run our economy and provide essential government services” (). The everyday citizen is so reliant on technology and everything in our country is so interconnected that if the cyber-physical infrastructure would to be compromised it would create a devastating chain reaction across the country. The third concern for Homeland Security is the threat of a pandemic. Even though it is noted as being a very low probability, the impact of it happening even once would be very high impact. “Increasing global
There are certain socioeconomic activities that are necessary to the day to day function and security of the United States. Transportation of goods and people, communications, banking and finance, and the distribution and supply of electricity and water are examples of these activities (Brown, Carlyle, Salmerón & Wood, 2006). Our domestic security and the ability to monitor, deter and respond to hostility acts aimed at the country also depend on these activities and well as other more specialized ones. Such as intelligence gathering and the command and control of both police and military forces (Brown et al., 2006; Newman, & Clarke, 2008). Any serious disruption to one or more of these activities and capabilities would have an impact on the well-being of the country (Newman, & Clarke, 2008).
Most of the public are aware of incidents involving each of the five hazards. The only exception would be a nuclear attack. While we do not want to minimize the impacts that a nuclear weapon could cause if denoted within a major U.S City, our intent should be to reduce fear. We can accomplish this by first highlighting security improvements in the world’s nuclear arsenal which can be credited to programs such as the “Nunn-Lugar program”(Allison, 2007). The Nunn-Lugar program is a program aimed “dismantling, consolidating, increasing transparency and preventing proliferation” by providing military and monitory aid to foreign governments (Bresolin, 2013).
What is critical security, what does it focus on comparing with the traditional security studies? While various protests arise with the outbreak of the 2013 NSA scandal, the enthusiasm about political participation has once again raised the public’s attention (Deutsche Welle, 2013). This leads to criticism of social controversies, such as privacy protections that the global political system is facing today. The society is divided in its opinion of whether the government has reached too far to restraining individual’s cyber privacy in practice, for not asking permission and enters searching information for his or her own interest. Others argue that the current circumstance is a reflection of government’s hopeless attempts to conceive an alternative solution for the aftermath of a lax regulation and inefficient policymaking. Overall, various research has shown an occurrence that the task before us is not easy while they are up against all odds.
Critical infrastructure is not adequately defended from cyber-attacks. Companies and government agencies are starting to work towards adequate cyber security however, this is no easy process. There are endless numbers of exposures like computer information systems, infrastructures, computer networks, and/or personal computer devices. Decisions must be made to determine which exposure to focus on protecting. Infrastructure attacks Individually-owned devices such as computers, tablets, mobile phones, and gaming systems that connect to the Internet are vulnerable to intrusion. Personal information may be at risk without proper security. Possible targets for attacks could be utilities, emergency services response systems, critical infrastructure,
In modern economies, national critical infrastructure such as energy systems, transportation systems, water systems and financial systems are controlled by computer systems, which effectively makes them part of cyberspace. Any disruption to the smooth running of computer systems that control national critical infrastructure would have significant (and in some cases strategic) consequences for the nation concerned. Dealing with potential cyber threats has therefore become a high priority for national security and defense institutions across the world.
Further, the Public Safety Strategic plan will ensure high availability of all critical systems, built-in business continuity plan for the highest uptime to minimize downtime or impact to business operation in the event of a security breached, data corruption, malware infection, and/or natural disaster. It is vital, the strategic plan help prioritizes Public Safety’s investment in technology to enable the departments to grow and scale in the years to come in an economical and feasible
The nation has become dependent on technology, furthermore, cyberspace. It’s encompassed in everything we deliver in our daily lives, our phones, internet, communication, purchases, entertainment, flying airplane, launching missiles, operating nuclear plants, and implicitly, our protection. The more ever-growing technology empower Americans, the more they become prey to cyber threats. The United States Executive Office of the President stated, “The President identified cybersecurity as one of the top priorities of his administration in doing so, directed a 60-day review to assess polices.” (United States Executive Office of the President, 2009, p.2). Furthermore, critical infrastructure, our network, and internet alike are identified as national assets upon which the administration will orchestrate integrated cybersecurity policies without infringing upon and protecting privacy. While protecting our infrastructure, personal privacy, and civil liberties, we have to keep in mind the private sector owns and operates the majority of our critical and digital infrastructure.