Bases for Modelling the Impacts of the Critical Infrastructure Failure

Abstract

Critical infrastructure represents a complex system that is constantly exposed to negative effects and threats from both external and internal environment. The consequences of the action of these effects and threats cause disruptions or failures of operational parameters of the critical infrastructure elements. Such failures are then reflected in negative impacts on other critical infrastructure elements or directly on the protected interests of society, i.e. security of the state, the economy and basic needs of the population. Modelling the impacts of the critical infrastructure failure thus constitutes a very complex process which must take into account the considerable amount of internal and external factors affecting the functioning of critical infrastructure system.In research of the bases for modelling the impacts of the critical infrastructure failure, this article focuses on crucial factors that shape the nature of impacts and defines the environment in which their modelling is examined. In particular, this relates to the application of a systems approach to research of phenomena in the critical infrastructure system and the need for research of impacts using a bottom-up approach. In this context, the article presents a proposal for the transformation of cross-cutting criteria to the regional level. An important role is also played by the need to define a unified framework for security and risk management of the European critical infrastructure. The last important starting point is the need to implement preference assessment because an important group of owners includes private entities whose preferences are significantly different compared to subjects of public administration. Through meeting the above objective, the article markedly contributes to increasing the resilience of critical infrastructure and its capability of responding to a variety of emergency or crisis situations.