Critical Infrastructures

Book excerpt: The nation¿s health, wealth, and security rely on the production and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, functions, and systems across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures (CI) (e.g., electricity, the power plants that generate it, and the electric grid upon which it is distributed). The national security community is concerned about the vulnerability of CI to both physical and cyber attack. This report discusses the evolution of a national CI policy and the institutional structures established to implement it. The report highlights five issues of Congressional concern: identifying critical assets; assessing vulnerabilities and risks; allocating resources; info. sharing; and regulation. Illustrations.