Critical Infrastructure Protection
Columbia Southern University
Critical Infrastructure Protection
While all sectors of critical infrastructure are vital, few carry the weight of the energy
sector. Governed by the United States Department of Energy, the energy sector covers the
electrical power grid as well as the production and storage of petroleum and natural gas products.
A growing section of the energy sector relies on hydroelectric in addition to renewable methods
such as wind, solar and geothermal. The energy sector is also highly interwoven with many other
sectors of critical infrastructure, with other areas relying on energy to perform their own
functions.
Importance and Vulnerabilities
Almost every facet of day to day operations and tasks that must be carried out by citizens
is reliant on the energy sector in some way, shape, or form. Vehicles require fuel. Most structures
, rely on electricity to power their lights and climate control systems. Chemical and nuclear
facilities require some form of fuel to transport goods or dispose of waste materials. Lastly,
communications and information technology are dependent on electricity to remain connected to
the internet and provide a constant flow of information.
Vulnerabilities
While it is true that the energy sector is governed by the Department of Energy, an
estimated 80% of the infrastructure is owned by private sector companies (CISA, n.d.). This
could be viewed as a vulnerability in and of itself. With each company free to set its own
standards and practices it would be detrimental for an attack by physical or cyber means to bring
down the system (Trendmicro, 2018).
Another vulnerability is by natural disaster. A full 43% of oil refineries are located in the
Gulf of Mexico, an area which is prone to hurricanes. In 2017 Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf of
11:18:03 GMT -05:00
Columbia Southern University
Critical Infrastructure Protection
While all sectors of critical infrastructure are vital, few carry the weight of the energy
sector. Governed by the United States Department of Energy, the energy sector covers the
electrical power grid as well as the production and storage of petroleum and natural gas products.
A growing section of the energy sector relies on hydroelectric in addition to renewable methods
such as wind, solar and geothermal. The energy sector is also highly interwoven with many other
sectors of critical infrastructure, with other areas relying on energy to perform their own
functions.
Importance and Vulnerabilities
Almost every facet of day to day operations and tasks that must be carried out by citizens
is reliant on the energy sector in some way, shape, or form. Vehicles require fuel. Most structures
, rely on electricity to power their lights and climate control systems. Chemical and nuclear
facilities require some form of fuel to transport goods or dispose of waste materials. Lastly,
communications and information technology are dependent on electricity to remain connected to
the internet and provide a constant flow of information.
Vulnerabilities
While it is true that the energy sector is governed by the Department of Energy, an
estimated 80% of the infrastructure is owned by private sector companies (CISA, n.d.). This
could be viewed as a vulnerability in and of itself. With each company free to set its own
standards and practices it would be detrimental for an attack by physical or cyber means to bring
down the system (Trendmicro, 2018).
Another vulnerability is by natural disaster. A full 43% of oil refineries are located in the
Gulf of Mexico, an area which is prone to hurricanes. In 2017 Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf of
11:18:03 GMT -05:00
