Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure and Potential Sustainable Development Impacts

Abstract

Because of advancement in information and communication technologies, modern infrastructure systems are currently operated, monitored and controlled by automated systems such as distributed process control networks and supervisory control and data acquisition. Such systems will make the critical infrastructures in any country vulnerable to failures caused by either operational failures or to potential cyberattacks similar to Stuxnet and Night Dragon. The objective of this paper is to shed the light on the synergy between cybersecurity and sustainable development in relation to the potential social, economic, and environment consequences of potential cybersecurity attacks on critical infrastructures. Examples of both operational and cybersecurity incidents are shown including their sustainable development implications.