Infrastructure Protection Research Articles

Enhancing cybersecurity in Edge IIoT networks: An asynchronous federated learning approach with a deep hybrid detection model

In the rapidly evolving field of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), advancements in wireless technology have resulted in significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. These weaknesses pose serious risks such as damage to manufacturing systems, theft of intellectual property, and substantial financial losses. This study introduces an advanced deep hybrid learning model in an asynchronous federated learning setup, aimed at improving the detection of cyberattacks and ensuring robust data privacy. The combination of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks provides an effective solution for quickly identifying anomalies in IIoT sensor traffic. Our model operates asynchronously, ensuring data remains localised to improve security while avoiding the need for complete node synchronisation. Demonstrating outstanding effectiveness, the model achieves an accuracy of 1.00%, precision of 1.00%, recall of 1.00%, and an F1 score of 1.00% across a variety of IIoT environments. These results highlight the model’s exceptional adaptability and its capability to rapidly respond to emergent threats, marking a significant step forward in the protection of IIoT infrastructures and the rigorous maintenance of data privacy.

Defending seabed lines of communication

ABSTRACT Australia is yet to adequately grapple with the unique challenges that critical seabed infrastructure protection poses to its defence and national security. While the paramount importance of Australia's sea lines of communication are widely understood, Australia's seabed lines of communication are understudied and underappreciated. This article lays the foundation for an Australian strategy to protect critical seabed infrastructure that constitutes seabed lines of communications. The article first overviews critical seabed infrastructure in Australia's immediate region. Second, it examines various suspected cases of seabed warfare in Europe and the Indo-Pacific which targeted critical seabed infrastructure. Third, the article analyses Australia's response to date, before, fourth and finally, outlining how Australia, and in particular the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), ought to respond to the growing threat to seabed lines of communication. By systematically analysing seabed warfare trends since 2021 using reputable journalism, think tank reports and fresh regional responses, this article demonstrates Australia's seabed vulnerabilities, and novel resiliency strategies.

Objects of specially protected natural areas as a specific architectural and typological group

The directions for the development and improvement of the architecture of tourist infrastructure facilities in specially protected natural areas (SPNA) are considered. Today there is no comprehensive system of requirements for their architectural solutions. In this work, based on an analysis of current practical experience, an attempt was made to identify the specific features of the main types of objects for protected areas. In particular, it was emphasized that the composition of protected area infrastructure facilities should be formed taking into account the entire range of tasks assigned to them, and above all, nature conservation. In this regard, urban planning, architectural, structural and engineering solutions should help minimize the anthropogenic impact on the environment. Examples of various types of buildings implemented according to projects of architectural bureaus from different countries are given.

Does digital-industrial technology integration reduce corporate carbon emissions?

The integration of digital technology and industrial technology emerges as a pivotal avenue for enterprises to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting the transition towards a sustainable and green trajectory of development. The panel data utilized in this paper encompasses financial, operational, and carbon emission metrics of publicly listed companies in China from 2008 to 2019. This longitudinal dataset enables us to perform robust statistical analyses to evaluate the impacts of Digital-Industrial technology integration on carbon emission intensity over time. The results indicate that: (i) Digital-Industrial technology integration significantly reduces the carbon emission intensity of enterprises, the conclusion remains robust when subjected to endogeneity and sensitivity analyses. (ii) Digital-Industrial technology integration mainly reduces the marginal cost of production and enhances the accumulation of knowledge to reduce the carbon emission intensity of enterprises. (iii) Digital-Industrial Technology Integration manifests more pronounced effects in curbing carbon emissions in regions characterized by robust property rights protection and well-developed digital infrastructure. (iv) Further research finds that Digital-Industrial technology integration increases the green technology innovation and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance of enterprises. The results of this study provide empirical evidence for the carbon emission reduction function of the Digital-Industrial technology integration, and also verify the positive externality impact of the Digital-Industrial technology integration on the enterprise green innovation and SDGs.

Building a Legislative Framework for Securing Georgia’s Strategic Assets

Abstract The article discusses the importance of modernizing and securing critical infrastructure in Georgia, particularly within the context of its geopolitical position and evolving economic landscape, by building an appropriate legal framework. The article outlines the signifi cant impact of cyberspace on traditional sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications, necessitating a re-evaluation of critical infrastructure in the digital age. Highlighting Georgia’s aspirations to align with European and Euro-Atlantic structures for enhanced national security and democratization, the study emphasizes the need for regulatory and legislative frameworks that would be compatible with EU standards. Drawing on a comparative analysis between Estonia and Georgia, the research identifies gaps and areas for improvement in Georgia’s critical infrastructure protection (CIP) system. Through the examination of Estonia’s successful transformation from a Soviet-era environment to a robust EU-compatible CIP system, the study offers recommendations tailored to Georgia’s context.

Mapping Regional Security Dynamics: Traditional and Non-Traditional Perspectives on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

The research article delves into the multifaceted security dimensions of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its domain allegations. Securitization Theory and Non-Traditional Security Cooperation Theory, find out about scrutinizes traditional challenges like geopolitical rivalries and military engagements, revealing their intertwined nature with financial development. Non-traditional security concerns, along with terrorism threats and cybersecurity issues, add in addition complexity to the BRI. The research emphasizes China's proactive policies, analysing security cooperation, threat valuation, prison frameworks, and infrastructure protection measures. It underscores China's dedication to safeguarding investments distant places whilst merchandising stability. The research about additionally explores regional safety cooperation, highlighting the interconnectedness of traditional and non-traditional security dynamics. Overall, the findings illuminate the refined stability wanted in decision-making for sustainable improvement inside the BRI, showcasing the nuanced interaction between China's monetary ambitions, security considerations, and evolving geopolitical dynamics, offering each possibilities and challenges for China and its associate states concerned in the initiative.

Advancing coordination in critical maritime infrastructure protection: Lessons from maritime piracy and cybersecurity

Critical maritime infrastructure protection has become a priority in ocean governance, particularly in Europe. Increased geopolitical tensions, regional conflicts, and the Nord Stream pipeline attacks in the Baltic Sea of September 2022 have been the main catalysts for this development. Calls for enhancing critical maritime infrastructure protection have multiplied, yet, what this implies in practice is less clear. This is partially a question of engineering and risk analysis. It also concerns how the multitude of actors involved can act concertedly. Dialogue, information sharing, and coordination are required, but there is a lack of discussion about which institutional set ups would lend themselves. In this article, we argue that the maritime counter-piracy operations off Somalia, as well as maritime cybersecurity governance hold valuable lessons to provide new answers for the institutional question in the critical maritime infrastructure protection agenda. We start by clarifying what is at stake in the CMIP agenda and why it is a major contemporary governance challenge. We then examine and assess the instruments found in maritime counter-piracy and maritime cybersecurity governance, including why and how they provide effective solutions for enhancing critical maritime infrastructure protection. Finally, we assess the ongoing institution building for CMIP in Europe. While we focus on the European experience, our discussion on designing institutions carries forward lessons for CMIP in other regions, too.

The heterogeneity of human flood adaptation characteristics in Central Asia based on human-flood distance

The Central Asian region is subject to frequent seasonal floods, resulting in substantial losses. These recurrent floods have induced certain changes in human flood adaptation characteristics in Central Asia, an area that is currently under-researched. This study, grounded in meticulously simulated flood inundation outcomes, multisource population distribution data, and flood protection infrastructure data, introduces an improved approach to calculating the distance between human and flood (HFD) and investigates human flood adaptation characteristics in Central Asia. Our findings indicate that residents in Central Asia get close to flood-prone areas from 1970 to 2007, with the exceptions of Turkmenistan (TKM) and Kyrgyzstan (KGZ). Notably, this trend is particularly pronounced in regions such as Xinjiang, China, and Tajikistan (TJK). An intricate exponential increase is observed in the population exposed to floods as the HFD decreases. Under future scenarios, KGZ exhibits the most significant trend of staying away from flood-prone areas, while TJK presents the opposite trend, and TKM experiences minimal changes. Additionally, compared with urban areas, rural areas of Central Asia exhibit a trend towards approaching floods. This study underscores the optimum nature of human flood adaptation when the HFD reaches 4.23 km, showing the potential for substantial benefits by implementing population evacuation within this threshold buffer zone. These insights highlight the complex interplay between human behaviours and floods and can inform the formulation of effective flood risk mitigation strategies.

A New Strategy is Needed to Solve the 50-Year-Old Problem - EMP Protection of Critical Civilian Infrastructure

The problem of the destructive effects of High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP or EMP) on electronic and electrical equipment has been well known for more than 50 years. All military equipment and critical equipment of special governmental services are reliably protected from such influences. There are many companies on the market that manufactures numerous EMP protection means that meet the requirements of military standards. It would seem that in such a situation, critical civilian infrastructure facilities (electrical power systems, water supply systems, communications, large medical centers, banks, etc.) should also be protected against EMP. But it turns out that this is not the case! Nowhere in the world are critical civilian infrastructure still protected from such impacts! Why? The main reason is an attempt to use well-known military strategies, methods and protection means for protecting civilian infrastructure. This article proposes new protection strategies and methods for the civilian sector.

Automatic Detection and Analysis of the Shoreline Change Rate at Maravanthe Coast, India

Maravanthe Beach has been witnessing erosion due to waves caused by tidal forces, destroying vegetation, and causing enormous damage to people’s lives, livestock, and property. Hence, an attempt has been made to understand the shoreline change analysis using the automatic shoreline extraction method and determine the rate of change in terms of erosion and accretion rate before and after the construction of coastal structures during the period from 2014 to 2023. The SWAT model was applied to analyze the influence of surface runoff on shoreline changes near Maravanthe Beach for the periods 2004–2014 and 2012–2023. Also, runoff was chosen as one of the parameters for validation of the analysis. It was noticed that the shoreline stretch had experienced significant erosion prior to the construction of shore protection infrastructure. Soon after the deployment of certain shore structures, the shoreline progressed from a high erosion stretch to a low erosion stretch. This study reveals that Maravanthe Beach witnessed greater erosion during the period 2014–2018 than it did from 2019–2023 and also observed a decrease in erosion from 11% to 3% and an increase in the accretion zones from 2 to 9%.

Local community participation in Tanzania's natural gas sector: A dissection of policies and the regulatory frameworks

The discovery of significant natural gas reserves in Tanzania prompted the government to develop policies and regulatory frameworks for better management of this sector. Nevertheless, knowledge of how these policies and regulatory frameworks facilitate local community participation in the sector is scant and attention to these issues is limited. We use qualitative data and the Context Interaction Theory (CIT) as our lens to analyse the sectoral policies and regulatory frameworks to understand whether and how they facilitate local community participation. Our analysis revealed that the natural gas policies and frameworks have to some extent facilitated local community participation through provision of employment opportunities, participation in the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility projects and protection of the gas infrastructures. However, meaningful local community participation is constrained by various factors including inadequate qualified and skilled individuals among the locals; misinformation to local community members; and insufficient awareness on the natural gas policies and regulatory frameworks. We recommend policies and regulatory frameworks that support local capacity development and empower local government authorities to develop their capacity for translating policies into practice on local community participation. These measures should involve ‘policy learning” from countries that have been successful in developing inclusive participation policies and responsive institutions.

Trellising is advantageous over ground culture for out-of-season, protected production and storage of sweet acorn squash

Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo) have been a familiar item at produce stands for decades in the United States and Canada, but little known or appreciated elsewhere. Following the breeding and development of sweet-fleshed acorn squash in Israel and its commercial introduction in 2007, acorn squash became a high-priced, popular produce item there. Scarcity of supply in winter has led to attempts to fill the consumer demand by using available protected cultivation infrastructure in the relatively mild area of southwestern Israel for production. Such production has proven feasible but it was not determined whether it would be preferable to allow the plants to simply grow sprawling on the ground or vertically, using trellises to train the plants to grow erect. Two sweet acorn squash hybrid cultivars differing in fruit size were compared, growing on the ground or on trellises, for yield, quality, and storability of the fruits. The hybrids bore fully ripe fruits from December through February, producing 56% higher yields when trellised rather than when allowed to grow on the ground. The fruits of trellised plants of both hybrids were more uniformly black-green and firmer than those of ground-grown plants. Their dry matter content at harvest and after 78 days of storage was very high, averaging 28% and 25%, respectively. Total soluble solids content of the fruit flesh from trellised plants was 19% at harvest and an extraordinary 20% after storage at 10°C, 70% RH. The fruit flesh of trellised plants was also more highly colored and had higher carotenoid, ascorbate, and anti-oxidant contents. Overall, trellising of sweet acorn squash during the winter under protected cultivation resulted in significantly higher yields and the finest fruit quality.

Cloud service models, business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and responsibilities

Purpose The purpose of this article is to identify the role of cloud computing services in business continuity and disaster recovery plans and delineate responsibilities for their execution. In recent times, there has been a huge upsurge in the usage of cloud service models such as infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, software-as-a-service and disaster recovery-as-a-service. However, in case of an emergency event or during contract negotiations, a question might arise as to who should be accountable and responsible for the content and execution of recovery plans. The main stakeholders in this scenario are cloud service providers and cloud consumers. Design/methodology/approach After a review of academic articles, standards, guidelines and vendor documentation, a proposal for assigning accountability and responsibility for business continuity and disaster recovery plans is presented, based on the RACI (responsible, accountable, consulted and informed) matrix. In this regard, a critical information infrastructure protection plan, a disaster recovery plan, an information systems contingency plan and a business continuity plan have been elaborated on in the article. Findings RACI matrices are presented for three general cloud service models and for three DRaaS models (managed, assisted and self-service). Accountability and responsibilities depend on the deployed cloud service model and the roles of cloud service providers and cloud consumers. Originality/value The proposed model for accountability and responsibility assignment provides a guideline for the allocation of responsibilities to roles not only during recovery but also during contract negotiations between cloud service providers and cloud consumers. By delving into business continuity and disaster recovery processes and activities, similar yet nuanced RACI matrices should be developed, as presented in this paper. They need to be customised for the specific context.

Protecting critical infrastructure against cascading effects: The PRECINCT approach

Critical Infrastructures (CIs), which serve as the foundation of our modern society, are facing increasing risks from cyber threats, physical attacks, and natural disasters. Additionally, the interdependencies between CIs throughout their operational lifespan can also significantly impact their integrity and safety. As a result, enhancing the resilience of CIs has emerged as a top priority for many countries, including the European Union. This involves not only understanding the threats/attacks themselves but also gaining knowledge about the areas and infrastructures that could potentially be affected. A European Union-funded project named PRECINCT (Preparedness and Resilience Enforcement for Critical INfrastructure Cascading Cyber-Physical Threats), under the Horizon 2020 program, tries to connect private and public stakeholders of CIs in a specific geographical area. The key objective of this project is to establish a common cyber-physical security management approach that will ensure the protection of both citizens and infrastructures, creating a secure territory. This paper presents the components of PRECINCT, including a directory of PRECINCT Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) blueprints. These blueprints support CI communities in designing integrated ecosystems, operating and replicating PRECINCT components (or toolkits). The integration enables coordinated security and resilience management, incorporating improved 'installation-specific' security solutions. Additionally, Serious Games (SG), and Digital Twins (DT) are a significant part of this project, serving as a novel vulnerability evaluation method for analysing complicated multi-system cascading effects in the PRECINCT Living Labs (LLs). The use of SG supports the concentrated advancement of innovative resilience enhancement services.

Securing Critical Infrastructure with Blockchain Technology: An Approach to Cyber-Resilience

Currently, in the digital era, critical infrastructure is increasingly exposed to cyber threats to their operation and security. This study explores the use of blockchain technology to address these challenges, highlighting its immutability, decentralization, and transparency as keys to strengthening the resilience of these vital structures. Through a methodology encompassing literature review, use-case analysis, and the development and evaluation of prototypes, the effective implementation of the blockchain in the protection of critical infrastructure is investigated. The experimental results reveal the positive impact of the blockchain on security and resilience, presenting a solid defense against cyber-attacks due to its immutable and decentralized structure, with a 40% reduction in security incidents. Despite the observed benefits, blockchain integration faces significant challenges in scalability, interoperability, and regulations. This work demonstrates the potential of the blockchain to strengthen critical infrastructure. It marks progress towards the blockchain’s practical adoption, offering a clear direction for future research and development in this evolving field.

Impact of a submerged stream groyne on morphology and sedimentology on a tidal inlet, Harle (Southern North Sea, Germany)

Coastal erosion and the need for flood protection present globally significant challenges. To address these challenges, hard coastal protection structures, such as groynes, are employed worldwide to safeguard coastal areas and regulate currents. However, their specific effects on current dynamics and sediment properties, particularly within tidal inlets, remain inadequately investigated, especially in regions like the North Sea characterized by prevalent tidal currents. This study aims to address the knowledge gap by examining the long-term impacts of coastal protection measures on sedimentology, with a focus on the environment of a tidal inlet. The Southern North Sea coast is subject to mesotidal conditions. It presents a mixed-energy coast with an erosive eastward littoral drift, providing an ideal setting for this investigation. On the island of Wangerooge, a prominent groyne extends into the Harle inlet, significantly restricting the exchange area between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. Consequently, the changes in flow dynamics and sediment transport resulting from the construction significantly affect sediment distribution and morphology within the inlet. Sedimentological analysis was employed to characterize surface sediment properties and statistical analysis identified seven distinct facies associated with three realms, which were shaped by the tidal currents affected by the groyne to a distinct pattern. Additionally, the integration of multibeam data from existing literature facilitated the creation of a comprehensive facies map. These findings suggest alterations in the morphology of the inlet. By comparing the results with an unaffected inlet, the Otzumer Balje, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between coastal protection infrastructure and coastal sedimentology within a high-dynamic tidal inlet system.

Performing risk assessment for critical infrastructure protection: A study of human decision-making and practitioners' transnationalism considerations

This paper investigates the views of practitioners on the decision-making influences and the transnational considerations affecting risk assessment (RA) for critical infrastructure (CI) and its protection (CIP).The investigation is based on a thematic analysis of the interviews of twelve RA practitioners. The analysis identified an overarching theme supporting the view that the team approach is the one true remedy to RA process shortcomings as well as five other themes: (1) the value of the human influence in RA; (2) transnationalism - an unfathomable notion; (3) consistency is no panacea to performance; (4) CI organizational RA-influencing forces; and (5) CI RA-enablers and impediments.The investigation suggests that the team approach to effective RA for CIP is considered as the absolute panacea in the eyes of practitioners although both insights from the current industry RA practice through the interviews themselves, and an investigation of relevant literature suggests that although this is warmheartedly recommended (a) there are no set rules and guidelines in its application, (b) it is not coordinated nor applied consistently, and (c) it is not an integral part of RA processes. Notwithstanding the reality that a team approach to RA for CIP is being contemplated by practitioners, albeit with lagging consistency and coordination, it is evident that additional research is necessary to broaden the understanding of its value.

A Focused Review on Wildfire Evacuation and Infrastructure Resilience in Canada: Trends and Insights (2013–2023)

A Focused Review on Wildfire Evacuation and Infrastructure Resilience in Canada: Trends and Insights (2013–2023)

Three-dimensional numerical modeling of the temporal evolution of backward erosion piping

Backward erosion piping (BEP) is a complex degradation mechanism in geotechnical flood protection infrastructure (GFPI) that is still relatively less understood, particularly when considering its time-dependent features. This manuscript presents a novel dual random lattice modeling approach for three-dimensional simulation of BEP, with a focus on its evolution over time. The key novelty of this presented framework is twofold: (1) we propose and incorporate a novel constitutive relationship for computation of time-dependent soil erosion based on the theory of rate processes, and (2) we devise an algorithm for calculation of coupled degradation of the dual lattices for accurate computation of 3-D hydraulic gradients. The constitutive relationship was developed from fundamental granular physics, and brings the potential to provide deeper fundamental physical understanding of the phenomenon. The capabilities of the modeling framework are investigated by comparison with available laboratory experiments which illustrates good agreement in the spatial advancement of piping erosion, pipe progression speeds, as well as the evolution of local gradients. To the best knowledge of the authors, the presented model is the first to be able to capture all of the aforementioned features when simulating BEP.

Isolating electrical and cryogen flow for safe operation and design validation experimentation of HTS power cables for electric transportation

The need for protecting the cryogenic infrastructure during a fault in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) power distribution systems of electric transport platforms is highlighted. A dual grounding scheme with an isolator between the electrical and cryogen flow paths of HTS power cables is needed. Finite element analysis of the electric field distribution of the vacuum jacketed isolator showed electric field intensity at the triple points. The electric field intensity at the triple points is reasonable if high vacuum quality is maintained. There is a need for further investigations for design validation with experimentation of practical designs for effective isolation and protection of cryogenic infrastructure from damage during an electrical fault in a section of the power distribution network of electrical transport platforms, such as an electric aircraft or ship.