HLSS502Wk5

Conclusion

Cri�cal infrastructure is just as its name implies; it is an asset that is cri�cal to the func�oning of the na�on. What is also true is that what cons�tutes cri�cal infrastructure may be different on the na�onal level versus the local level. This can lead to conflicts in how to best allocate resources for preven�ng terrorism. As was indicated earlier, it is not possible to make any target immune from an a�ack. Some targets are limited in size and loca�on with only select persons allowed entry, these targets are easier to protect, such as a nuclear power plant or military base. Others exist at mul�ple loca�ons and have limited to no access controls; in fact, some of these loca�ons ac�vely seek to bring others in, such as an amusement park or shopping mall. Lastly, there are those which are a mix of both, limited loca�ons with limited access control measures, such as an airport.

Because of this inability to provide 100% security 100% of the �me, a system must have resilience. As this lecture and the readings have illustrated, the development of resilience requires a whole-of-community approach. Those things that one seeks to protect are systems and like any system, all elements of that system must be considered when developing a resilience strategy. It is no good to have figured out how to provide power to something if no one can find a way to access it. A key component of this is the interconnectedness and the interdependency that various systems have with one another.

This leads to the issue of cyber security and cyber terrorism. If there is any one component that is interconnected to each of the 18 cri�cal infrastructure sectors it is that of the cyber element. Here again, the issue of lacking a common defini�on for cyber terrorism comes to the forefront. The development of legisla�on and policy to address the issue of cyber security and cyber terrorism finds itself fractured with various agencies having been involved in a primary role for protec�ng and securing various segments of the cyber system infrastructure. Cyber security is also an area that needs the whole-of-community approach as seen from the fact that most successful hacker a�empts are not the result of the crea�vity of the hackers; they are substandard security prac�ces on the part of employees and managers.

All of this brings the focus back to the central tenet of cri�cal infrastructure protec�on, which is that security of the Na�on’s cri�cal infrastructure requires a whole-of-community approach. This approach involves not only the engagement of government and business owner-operators, but must also engage suppliers and consumers. Homeland security efforts in cri�cal infrastructure areas must recognize and include all communi�es. Communi�es that are either interconnected to or are interdependent on an asset within the cri�cal infrastructure sector.