Title: Overview
Course: Critical Infrastructure: An Overview > Section: Course Content

Overview

We have learned that the definition of critical infrastructure is, “the systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital that the incapacity or destruction of such may have debilitating impact on the security, economy, public health or safety, environment, or any combination of those matters, across any Federal, State, regional, territorial, or local jurisdiction” [1].

The responsibility to keep the Critical Infrastructure in the United States safe, secure, and resilient is shared by federal, state, local, and tribal, governments as well as members of the public who own and operate it.

Common Themes

Critical infrastructure must be kept safe and secure, it must be able to withstand and quickly recover from hazards.

A series of themes are common in all the critical infrastructure sectors. All sectors:

- Identify their assets systems, and networks
- Assess risks
- Prioritize what needs focusing on
- Develop and implement resiliency strategies and protective programs
- Measure the effectiveness of their performance in resiliency strategies and protective programs
- Research and develop plans to correct gaps
- Manage and coordinate the responsibilities of the SSA(s) [2]

In Mission Critical Operations

Many times in a mission critical environment the term “infrastructure” or “critical infrastructure” is used to describe systems and assets that are so vital to the mission of the business or operation that they are considered critical.

Many of the institutions, assets, and employees of the 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors belong to fields that are considered Mission Critical Operations.

Although the Information Technology Sector or the Critical Manufacturing Sector are the most likely to use “critical infrastructure” or “mission critical infrastructure” as part of their vernacular, it is just as likely that most everyone can scale down the concept of critical infrastructure we learned here and make it fit their sector, industry, or even particular business or corporation.

Reference List

[1] | Office of Infrastructure Protection, "Office of Infrastructure Protection Strategic Plan: 2012-2016," dhs.gov, August 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/IP%20Strategic%20Plan%20FINAL.pdf.. [Accessed July 2014].
[2] | Department of Homeland Security, "Transportation System Sector Specific Plan," dhs.gov, 2010. [Online]. Available: http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/nipp-ssp-transportation-systems-2010.pdf#page=26&zoom=auto,-121,681. [Accessed 14 August 2014].