Dr. ing. Marco Lisi(marco.lisi@ieee.org)

Master di II Livello in "Homeland Security"Università degli Studi Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, A. A. 2013-2014

WHY ARE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES THE NEXT TARGETS OF TERRORISM AND WARFARE?

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11 September 2001 

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2007: Cyber War to Estonia

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11 September 2014 

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11 September 201? 

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An Escalating Threath• In 2012 nearly 200 cyber-attacks against critical

infrastructure targets were reported to the U.S.Department of Homeland Security – an increase of more than50% vs. the previous year;

• Growing evidence indicates that many of these attacksoriginated from military and/or government institutions inChina, Iran and other countries.

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The Escalation of Cyber Attacks in Italy

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Critical Infrastructures• Critical infrastructures are “so vital (…) that the incapacity

or destruction of such systems and assets would have adebilitating impact on security, national economic security,national public health or safety.” [U.S. Homeland SecurityPresidential Directive on Critical InfrastructureIdentification, Prioritization, and Protection, December 17,2003];

• Critical infrastructures are required to:

Assess their vulnerabilities to both physical and cyberattacks;

Plan to eliminate significant vulnerabilities; Develop systems to identify and prevent attempted

attacks; Alert, contain and rebuff attacks and then plan to

rebuild essential capabilities in the aftermath.

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What are going to be the next targets?Electric Power Grids

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Oil Pipeline Transport Networks

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Water Pipeline Distribution Networks

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Nuclear Power Generation Plants

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Dams and Water Reservoirs

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Telecommunications Networks (1/2)

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Telecommunications Networks (2/2)

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Railways Transportation Systems

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Maritime Transportation Systems

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Air Traffic Control Systems

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Critical Infrastructures are Interdependent

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Cyberattacks are not the only chance. Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP)

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Effects of an EMP Attack

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A future scenario to avoid…