The operational tools for managing physical interdependencies among critical infrastructures

Abstract

As a result of advances in information technology and the necessity of improved efficiency, Critical Infrastructures (CIs) have become increasingly automated and interlinked over the years. This linkage between CI results in a very complex and dynamic system. However, this growing complexity of CI and their interdependencies reveals new vulnerabilities. In fact, the interdependencies between CI are a true means of the propagation of hazards from one network to another. Understanding these interdependencies is necessary to prevent any cascading effects to affect the functioning of these infrastructures. This paper presents a concrete set of tools enabling the management of physical interdependencies among the CI. Based on the resources exchanged by CI, these tools (consequence curves and flexible cartographic representations) allow the visualisation of the evolution of domino effects in time and space, giving the CI managers the potential to set up convenient preventive and protective measures in order to avoid their propagation.