Critical infrastructure and systemic vulnerability: Towards a planning framework

This article presents an analytical planning framework for hypothesizing, formulating and mitigating vulnerability in critical infrastructures. The point of departure is that because technological change plays a significant role in the development of critical infrastructures, the dynamics of such change must be taken into account when assessing how such structures advance a state of vulnerability over time. A second key notion is that while underlying interdependencies are characteristic of developing technological systems in general, these relationships receive a new significance in the context of critical infrastructures. The article contributes a model of vulnerability, which integrates a number of system levels of technological change as they bear on critical infrastructures. The framework is exemplified by a case description and analysis of cyber attacks on vital public functions. Finally a number of key principles are proposed for addressing systemic vulnerability in critical infrastructures across sectors of society.

• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VF9-4M3RP2W-1/2/6455be82934e3539b0ab207b80b22dec
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09257535
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Hellstrom, Tomas
• Publication Date: 2007-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: pp. 415-430
• Serial:
  • Safety Science
  • Volume: 45
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0925-7535
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09257535

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Mathematical models; Technology
• Uncontrolled Terms: Analytical framework; Change; Critical infrastructure; Cyber attacks; Framework (Planning); Interdependencies; Vulnerability
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01049900
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 25 2007 10:35AM