Cybersecurity: The Nation's Greatest Threat to Critical Infrastructure

Abstract

Abstract : Over the past decade, the cyber threat to critical infrastructure has grown to potentially catastrophic dimensions. Critical Infrastructure protection has become a matter of national security, public safety, and economic stability. It is imperative the U.S. Government (USG) examine current responsibilities, develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, cybersecurity regulations, impose standards, and enforce the strongest security measures possible to protect the Nation from cyber attacks to critical infrastructure. This paper provides a background of what constitutes national critical infrastructure and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), discusses the immense vulnerabilities, threats, and risks associated in the protection of critical infrastructure, and outlines governance and responsibilities of protecting vulnerable infrastructure. Finally, the paper will make recommendations for federal responsibilities and legislation to direct nation critical infrastructure efforts to ensure national security, public safety and economic stability.