What is Critical Infrastructure Protection and Why is it Important?
Nowadays, businesses that provide solutions for protecting critical infrastructure are frequently mentioned. Almost everyone is asking themselves: What is the protection of critical infrastructure? Why is it crucial? Where exactly is the risk?
Sadly, many people are perplexed by the apparent lack of clear answers to these questions. We will define CIP and emphasize its significance in this article.
What is Critical Infrastructure Protection?
The term "critical infrastructure" is used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States to refer to any virtual or physical networks, systems, or assets that are so essential to the country that their loss would be detrimental to national security, public health, safety, the economy, or any combination of these areas. To put it more succinctly, "critical infrastructure" refers to any and all people, systems, or things that are essential to the success of everyday life and work.
As a result, critical infrastructure security is a component of critical infrastructure protection. These include citizens, physical assets, and crucial cyber networks that are essential to the economy, national security, and public safety.
Who poses a threat to important infrastructure? Critical infrastructure faces threats from a variety of sources despite its importance. Nature (like floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes), people (like hackers, thieves, and terrorists), and accidents involving biological, chemical, or nuclear materials are all examples of these.
Why is Critical Infrastructure Protection Important?
Terrorism, hacking, and other forms of general criminal activity have all seen alarming increases over the past ten years. In their evil deeds, these criminals target vital utility and energy infrastructure to disrupt communication and general order. Systems have been disabled and services denied by others through cyberattacks.
Securing our critical infrastructure becomes essential in light of all those obvious threats. The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is one important department that ensures the safety of our national assets. In order to raise awareness of critical infrastructure protection, the department launched a protection program in October 2000 that coordinated with Local Emergency Planning Committees and centered on community emergency response.
USFA established a Critical Infrastructure Protection Information Center (CIPIC) to advance the issues and promote the program. It emphasizes the efforts of critical infrastructure protection for first responders across the United States. Critical infrastructures for fire and emergency medical services include, but are not limited to:
- Fire and EMS Stations, Networks, & Apparatus
- 911 Communication Centers
- Paramedics and Firefighters
- Water reservoirs and Pumping Centers
- Computer Networks
- Busy Bridges & Tunnels
- Busy Roads & Highways
- Busy Bridges & Tunnels
The provision of EMS services and firefighters are crucial components of homeland security. They are the most important infrastructure because they collaborate with law enforcement personnel. As a result, their well-being ought to come first.
Community leaders, including emergency responders, are in charge of deciding which infrastructure should be protected. However, limited resources make these choices more difficult. CIPIC recommends putting the critical infrastructure protection process into action in order to create a list of the infrastructure that is most important and should be prioritized. Leaders can use this model to figure out what needs to be protected and when. To help respondents, the CIPIC created a critical infrastructure protection Process Job Aid that is simple to understand.
DuraBarrier USA is of the opinion that although it is impossible to avoid all threats to critical infrastructure, critical infrastructure protection can significantly reduce the risks.