Computational support for identifying safety and security interdependencies between National Critical Infrastructures

Previous terrorist attacks, system failures and natural disasters have revealed the problems that many States face in preparing for national civil contingencies. The diversity of critical infrastructures and the interconnections between different systems makes it difficult for planners to ‘think of everything’. For example, the loss of power distribution networks can disrupt rail and road transportation systems. Knock-on effects can also be felt across telecommunications infrastructures as the uninterruptible power supplies (UPS’) that protect Internet routers and mobile phone base stations fail over time. Domestic water supplies are affected when pumping and treatment centres lose power. These interconnections make it hard to anticipate the many different safety-related systems that might be affected by particular contingencies. This paper introduces a Geographic Information System that is intended to help government agencies plan for the knock-on effects that propagate between major infrastructures. The intention is to provide a flexible system, which can easily be configured and updated. This is important given that technical innovation and routine maintenance continually introduce changes across national infrastructures