Approaches to modelling of interdependencies between critical infrastructure

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION5

Background of the Study5

Problem Statement8

Aims and objectives12

Significance of the Study13

Research Scope14

Beneficiaries15

Academics15

Organizations15

Definition of Terms15

Critical Infrastructure15

Models for the Analysis of Infrastructures Interdependencies18

Organization of the Study20

Areas of theory21

Reliability/Dependability25

Validity26

Ethical Considerations28

REFERENCES29

CHAPTER # 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Initial units described with the system level and the level of detail in the description was adequate to describe the interdependencies between critical infrastructures. This paper present a more detailed analysis, where a detailed overview of the subsystems and identify the mechanisms that lead to system failure cascade systems (Bruggen 2008, pp. 1137-1148). Below is a brief description of interdependencies, as described by different authors and different concepts of SCADA-systems and critical infrastructure (Zio 2009, pp. 954-963).

Critical infrastructure which includes telecommunication, energy, finance and banking, transportation, emergency services and water system are known as the pillars of modern society. As technology advances, more and more critical infrastructures become increasingly interconnected. More specifically, there is a heavy dependence on critical infrastructures at multiple levels within the supply chain of any good or service (Robinson, et al., 2008, pp. 61-67). Any disruptions in the supply chain may cause profound cascading effect to other critical infrastructures. A malicious attack, natural disaster, or simply increasing stress on already congested infrastructure could have a dramatic impact.

The Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), along with electronic security (eSecurity), one of the two communities of practice (COP) approved of the Protection of Critical Infrastructure Security Technical Program (PSTP). The critical infrastructure (CI) of a state include the facilities, networks, services and assets of information technology that are essential to the health, safety, security and prosperity of citizens and that the effective functioning of government (Lewis, 2009, pp. 34-41). Disturbances in IE can have disastrous consequences, such as deaths and side effects for the economy and can undermine public confidence. The risks to the IE are becoming more complex and frequent. They range from threats with malicious intent (criminal and terrorist) accidents, to natural disasters. The increased frequency and severity of natural disasters resulting in the increased possibility that a disruption of IE citizens' results in prolonged interruption of essential services. The domain cyber (eSecurity) is another important vehicle for attacks against IE (Keohane, 2008, pp. 81-94).

The community of practitioners in critical infrastructure protection can support efforts to strengthen the resilience of the ten sectors of IE Canada through the use of different technologies to identify and reduce risks and vulnerabilities, which are accentuated by the complex interdependencies between IE and the possibility of a domino ...