Top 6 Challenges of Protecting Critical Infrastructure

It's a new day and a new age. Major infrastructures are vulnerable to the ongoing threat of climate change, and they are under attack by nefarious forces whose goal is to destabilize outdated digital networks and security systems. Professional hackers aim to cause chaos and profit from the weaknesses of cyber security software and the lack of upgrades to our most vital systems. Governments and major corporations worldwide have experienced the effects of natural disasters, the ransoming of data, threats of physical attack, and the total shutdown of systems that societies depend on for everyday life. When a crisis occurs, we need to have a full-proof strategy for protection.

What Qualifies as Critical Infrastructure?

Critical infrastructure encompasses the digital networks, basic utility systems, communication systems, financial service systems, cybersecurity systems, and physical assets that businesses and governments rely on to provide necessities to the general public. The term includes railways, bridges, tunnels, highways, buildings, water systems, pipelines, power grids, utilities, and disaster response mechanisms. If any of these systems are destroyed or incapacitated, it could have a devastating effect on public health, public safety, or economic security.

It is the responsibility of every government in the world to protect the health and safety of its citizens from the threat of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and cybercriminals who seek to undermine the stability of existing infrastructure. As society continually evolves, we become more dependent on the digital systems and networks we use in our everyday lives and cannot afford to take any potential threat lightly. Therefore all infrastructure sectors must make it a focal point to be prepared for any unseen event and identify potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities to respond effectively.

Severe Weather & Natural Disasters

Over the past few decades, the frequency of intense weather systems, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, droughts, and forest fires has increased and exposed the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructures across the globe. Severe storms and natural disasters have caused oil spills, nuclear explosions, releases of toxic chemicals, uncontrollable fires, and the destruction of commercial and residential properties on a tremendous scale. Governments must now future-proof critical infrastructures so they can survive unusually intensive storms and events.

The economic impact of natural disasters has been devastating and costs governments billions of dollars annually. According to a recent study, natural disasters in 2021 cost the United States $145 billion in damages and over $280 billion worldwide. Catastrophes affect oil and gas, transportation, shipping, communications, energy, financial services, water systems, electrical power industries, and other infrastructure sectors. They can shut down vital public services and global commerce in a heartbeat. As the effects of climate change intensify, many experts believe we will experience an increase in the number of severe events that threaten the stability of critical infrastructure and wreak havoc on the global economy.

Cybersecurity Breaches & Ransomware

Since 2015, there has been a significant increase in security breaches and cybercrimes inflicted upon critical infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns forced millions of workers to log in from home and opened the door for cybercriminals. Hackers have figured out that cybercrime is often more lucrative than the illegal drug trade and far less risky. Each year the techniques that hackers use become more sophisticated and more dangerous. Cyber threats can destroy data, exploit vulnerabilities in digital networks and software, and shut entire networks down through security gaps.

There are several types of cyber security breaches that can infiltrate gaps in security and affect critical infrastructure. The best defense is a good offense, so it would be wise to monitor security breaches other companies and industries have experienced to prevent future occurrences. Keeping up with the ever-evolving face of cybercrime will reduce the likelihood that hackers will extort a company through ransomware. By securing infrastructures from potential cyber threats, we can prevent the theft of company data, consumer data, intellectual property, potential fraud, and embezzlement.

Global & Domestic Terrorism

Industry experts believe that global or domestic terrorist attacks upon critical infrastructure are controllable. In the public and private sectors, companies have implemented digital networks and systems which contain control measures to monitor activity. Many believe that millions of cyber-attacks have occurred across all industrial sectors and have become an everyday event. With more and more cyber-attacks occurring daily, companies lack the resources and capacity to investigate each incident. For now, experts believe that the primary motivation of hackers who break into infrastructure is financial and not to cause catastrophic failures that would have dire consequences.

The biggest fear that experts have expressed is the simultaneous deployment of cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure. In that type of situation, a cyber attack could be implemented as a distraction or to disable communication systems to enhance the effectiveness of an actual physical attack. For areas with high concentrations of infrastructure networks and systems, a terrorist attack would be much more devastating.

Infrastructure Failures Due To Human Error

Infrastructure failures are not always the result of severe weather, natural disasters, or cybercrime. Human error in architectural design, construction processes, and the implementation of new systems has led to dozens of catastrophic collapses and infrastructure failures. Often we don't realize human errors until after roads, bridges, buildings, and digital infrastructure systems collapse or become inoperable.

How to Respond

Regardless of which critical infrastructure sector a company aligns with, it’s clear that assertive, proactive preparation is key. The best strategies combine a secure physical perimeter and robust cybersecurity initiatives such as two-factor authentication. By recognizing the challenges critical infrastructures face in our ever-changing digital and physical environments, we can effectively plan for any catastrophe.