Abstract
A government institution depends on its critical infrastructure, which includes a building, servers, and communication tools. These assets are susceptible to natural, cyber, and physical disasters. In a crisis, each of these three components is equally important. Facilities must be strategically located to be both accessible and secure in the case of natural disasters. Governmental agencies must keep a backup server operational. A backup server must be maintained on hand by a government organization. A disaster requires working communication systems.
Keywords: Critical infrastructure, communications networks, the server, and cyberattacks.
Communications system
Communication systems allow for the exchange of information through different operatives, sectors, or individuals. In any nation, it is a primary aspect at different government and state levels, which helps in coordination during emergencies. Since the backup power system is independent of the central system, it will continue functioning even if the region is assaulted. The main concern is that federal data transfer may suffer physical injury (Greenstein, 2020). Agencies consequently encounter great difficulty carrying out their duties, and considerable future uncertainty may occur.
Physical Threat
Risks are the primary cause of communication problems for many first responders, and a political company’s communication system may be in danger. First, employees’ communication abilities are crucial during emergencies. Attacks on government buildings that house or maintain the tools needed for communication and detection techniques could stop those services from functioning.
Critical infrastructure as it relates to National Security
Any administrative organization is susceptible to violent attacks on its staff, visitors, and infrastructure. As a result, the government must devise a strategy to deal with this problem. To safeguard people and property, security measures can be put into place in different ways (Greenstein, 2020). Video surveillance might be employed to evaluate points of entry and assault to monitor instances.
Risks/Threats/Hazards/Vulnerabilities from the Hypothetical Threat
Both foreign countries and regular people have the ability to hack, damage, and destroy transmission lines. More research is needed to identify new threats, opportunities, dangers, and vulnerabilities. A natural disaster poses a significant potential hazard to a governmental entity’s data transmission. An earthquake can make it challenging to use the internet, for instance, while a thunderstorm or hurricane could destroy power lines or cut off supplies.
Damage to the Hypothetical Threat could impact the Dependencies/Interdependencies between critical infrastructure sectors.
The dependence and interrelations of significant sectors may be impacted by problems like the breakdown of governmental bodies’ transmission networks. A government agency’s (like FEMA, for example) communications infrastructure may have been compromised, which might impact the connections and links between crucial infrastructure sectors like global health and law enforcement.
Existing Resiliency related to Continuity of Operations
The American government department has long been the target of targeted activities. Although the CIA has not recently been hacked, it is always unpredictable where and when the next attack may occur. The company has multiple levels of protection in place to thwart prospective hackers. The agency utilizes a variety of stands that communicate with each other.
Consider how to Minimize disruption that improves First Responder Safety.
To minimize the impact on the company’s communication infrastructure, a director should develop lockdown procedures that enable employees to act fast. The government group’s communications network needs to be shut down as a preliminary step. By doing this, the attack’s actual power output will be reduced. Securing external network connectivity should also be included in the initial phase so that first responders, other governmental organizations, and the wider populace can stay in touch.
Server
Attackers that plan to cause harm seek to profit by stealing data and money or by disturbing businesses. Thus, those acting in their self-interest, like bitter present or former workers, will take cash, information, or even have the opportunity to meddle with a company’s system. However, their central objective is to exact vengeance. Politicians who attack aim to bring attention to their challenges. It leads to them engaging in hacktivism, which publicizes the attacks.
Hypothetical Threat (physical, cyber, or natural disaster)
Government agencies have experienced online attacks that have been catastrophic to Nations. A system’s security planning ought to be built to be durable and cost-effective as possible (Maglaras et al., 20). Online attacks on the servers of governmental organizations have disastrous consequences. A system’s security architecture should be as reliable and economical as possible (Maglaras et al., 2018). The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends using reliable encryption on all national networks. To avoid unauthorized intrusions, this involves using Secure Shell (SSH), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and Security Socket Layer (SSL) access to the websites and offering preeminent applications for wireless security.
Critical infrastructure as it relates to National Security Information (no more than two paragraphs if possible)
The Department of Defense has traditionally served as the primary repository for the American government’s information, communications, and, occasionally, foreign communication. The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Homeland Security (DHS) are now susceptible to cyberattacks on their networks. The DoD systems are inaccessible to the general public. Only the army, its contractors, and government officials that need to perform strategic or directive functions may utilize them.
Risks/Threats/Hazards/Vulnerabilities from the Hypothetical Threat
Data loss is one of the most likely scenarios. Any time could be a bad period for hard disks. In the absence of a backup, data leaks on the hard drive happen. Hard drive issues alone might not be enough to compromise a government firm’s security posture (Retter et al., 2019). For instance, it could not repair an operating system that was vulnerable; to data loss as a result.
Damage from the Hypothetical Threat could impact the Dependencies /Interdependencies between critical infrastructure sectors
The American electricity infrastructure is in peril due to server issues at a federal agency. Crowther contends that border security and cyberspace should be the two key pillars of future national security (Retter et al., 2019). The digital economy is currently one of the Afghan War’s most active frontier. It interacts with military approaches, despite the fact that the U.S. has lagged behind other countries in this field.
Existing Resiliency related to Continuity of Operations
Governmental institutions have attempted to provide robust protection against these risks, even though many of these policies have yet to be fully implemented. In order to construct an effective defense, government agencies prepare for assaults on their systems. By being prepared, the company lessens the possibility that it will have to go through the long process of beginning and with new data in the event of a server invasion.
Consider how to Minimize disruption that improves First Responder Safety.
The primary staff might show up before backup. If the threat materialized, the first responders wouldn’t even have contact with the details they require to assist victims. First responders can encounter the least amount of disturbance by being prepared at all times. First responders require instructions on handling situations that are foreign to them.
Buildings
Agencies surely have a variety of approaches to challenges, but the framework is routinely disregarded. Governmental organizations concentrate more of their activities inside their office buildings as they become less visible to the public. These structures could be just as vulnerable to risks as any other ones the business owns.
Hypothetical Threat (physical, cyber, or natural disaster)
Flooding is one type of catastrophic occurrence that could damage structures. Flooding is one type of natural disaster that might impact infrastructure. Flooding can happen as a result of any storm, including hurricanes, strong winds, heavy rain, and others. 2019 (Peri & Cvetkovi). Flooding can ruin properties and degrade the soil, lowering the population’s living level. The government must step in to stop the potential structural harm that natural disasters can cause.
Critical infrastructure as it relates to National Security
Currently, storms become a threat to buildings. But, since all these storms can cause significant actual damage, the risk is increased if a hurricane reaches Category 2 or above. Cvetkovi and Peri (2019). Military bases and structures that house vital infrastructure are most at risk from powerful storms.
Risks/Threats/Hazards/Vulnerabilities from the Hypothetical Threat
According to Federal Oceanographic and Nature Ministry estimates, the United States experiences roughly 40 hurricanes, 80 tropical storms, and 200 disasters annually, resulting in damages of $200 billion (NOAA). By describing the components of risk and susceptibility as well as the effects of disasters, a formula for disaster is offered (Dissanayaka et al., 2021). The authors assert that the catastrophic equation may need to be modified because of how tornado events have changed the environment.
Damage from the Hypothetical Threat could impact the Dependencies /Interdependencies between critical infrastructure sectors
Following the most devastating hurricane in history, the United States and the rest of the world have already been rebuilding. After suffering the substantial losses caused by this year’s calamities, many towns will take several years to recover. Storms Irma and Maria also almost destroyed Saint Martin, in addition to causing devastation to Dominica, Costa Rica, and other distant islands.
Existing Resiliency related to Continuity of Operations
Applying the processes that all national authorities already employ to build operational durability can help to lessen the effects of natural disasters. State agencies have established several plans to prepare for different types of disasters (Dissanayaka et al., 2021). Continuity in company strategy has reduced the damage brought on by natural disasters.
Consider how to Minimize disruption that improves First Responder Safety.
Natural disasters are now widely accepted as a “new reality” that could have been predicted in earlier years. First responders must develop plans to enhance security during natural catastrophes to reduce interruption. First responders are at risk because they have sufficient management backing, environment protection, threat knowledge, on-scene training, and a specific training stage in life-saving techniques.
Summary
The foundational components of a government institution are susceptible to security risks such as cyberattacks and natural disasters. The company may have more difficulty supplying water and electricity services during catastrophic events like hurricanes and quakes (Huseien & Shah, 2022). The security crew of the business patrols the perimeter and scans the internet for any unusual activities. The security team keeps a watch out for viruses, worms, as well as other cyber-attacks against their organization.
References
Huseien, G. F., & Shah, K. W. (2022). A review of 5G technology for smart energy management and smart buildings in Singapore. Energy and A.I., 7, 100116.
Greenstein, S. (2020). The basic economics of internet infrastructure. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(2), 192-214.
Maglaras, L. A., Kim, K. H., Janicke, H., Ferran, M. A., Rallis, S., Frank, P., … & Cruz, T. J. (2018). Cyber security of critical infrastructures. At Express, 4(1), 42-45.
Retter, L., Frinking, E., Hoorens, S., Lynch, A., Nederveen, F., & Phillips, W. (2019). Relationships between the economy and national security.
Perić, J., & Cvetković, V. M. (2019). The demographic, socio-economic and phycological perspective of risk perception from disasters caused by floods: case study Belgrade. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 1(2), 31-45.
Dissanayaka, K. D. C. R., Tanaka, N., & Vinodh, T. L. C. (2021). Integration of Eco-DRR and hybrid defense system on mitigation of natural disasters (Tsunami and Coastal Flooding): a review. Natural hazards, 1-28.
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