The Importance of Infrastructure Protection

This nation runs on a series of infrastructures set in place to preserve the quality of life that Americans experience freely. These infrastructures are divided into two distinct categories: Critical and Non-Critical. Under the purview of Critical Infrastructures, lies the Energy, Communications, and Water Processing, among others. Non-critical infrastructures, such as transportation, are important as well; however, the Critical Infrastructures remain in persistent danger from adversarial attack.

Why?

The answer can be summed up in two words: Infrastructure Interdependency. There are, within the category of Critical Infrastructures, certain infrastructures that rely on others to operate. This reliance is called Infrastructure Interdependency. For instance, Water Processing is among the most important critical infrastructures in place; however, a majority of its associated functions require power to operate. Electricity is needed to run the purification modules; energy is needed to operate the pumps that push the water. If an adversary were to disable the Energy Infrastructure within a particular region for an extended period of time, the Water Infrastructure would be crippled as well.

Access to water via plumbing would diminish within hours; within days, bottled water in retail stores would see a 100% acquisition rate. Civil unrest wouldl develop shortly thereafter, as citizens demanded a solution from their Government.

Although Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans are in effect for temporary disability, there is no way to prepare for an extended COOP plan. These plans are to ensure the continuity of operations until the situation is resolved--often having a truncated time frame within which operational status must be resumed. This is why infrastructure protection is one of the most essential functions of every level of government--be it Federal, State, or Local. We simple have too much to lose by NOT protecting our infrastructures.