MBSE Analysis & Update of U.S. Infrastructure Data Taxonomy (IDT) Using U.S. National Critical Functions (NCFs)

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, we will demonstrate the application of Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques we have used to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in analysis of open‐source Infrastructure Data Taxonomy (IDT) data to analyze and contribute to the updates required for their IDT. We will show how we have used Functional Analysis, Logical Structure Taxonomies, and MBSE tools to analyze the IDT alongside the DHS National Critical Functions (NCFs) to recommend and improve these updates for their IDT. We have also proposed updates to the NCFs themselves where obvious improvements could be made. Our future recommendations are to continue this effort as a team of INCOSE Critical Infrastructure Protection and Recovery (CIPR) team members, along with other INCOSE Working Groups (WGs), and to explore other use cases based on this model data, as well as inviting other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist in the enhancements. This modeling effort demonstrated the use of these MBSE tools while working together with other organizations to enable improvements to the Critical Infrastructure (CI) space leveraging systems theory & thought leadership. We will outline further avenues for exploration using this provided MBSE capability in multiple areas that could be useful to the DHS, and will discuss a potential longer‐term engagement with DHS in an annual challenge. This challenge similar to those led by multiple other projects will include collaborations with universities and other CI / CIPR entities interested in this modeling of the CI space. Other opportunities to extend the model further include, but are not limited to security / cybersecurity, operational, and services modeling use cases, involving Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and much more. We have shown how these tools are effective and efficient for use in the water / wastewater sector, but will also yield similar benefits when applied across all identified sectors and across the international community as well (i.e., transportation, telecommunications, etc.). Interestingly we have seen in our initial analyses that the various taxonomies across sectors, subsectors, segments, subsegments, and assets vary slightly between regions and countries internationally for various reasons.