One of my lectures at the 2014 Master in Homeland Security organized by the University "Campus Biomedico" of Rome.

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

2. 4
11 September 2001

3. 5
2007: Cyber War to Estonia

4. 6
11 September 2014

5. 7
11 September 201?

6. 8
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 than
50% vs. the previous year;
• Growing evidence indicates that many of these attacks
originated from military and/or government institutions in
China, Iran and other countries.

7. 9
The Escalation of Cyber Attacks in Italy

8. Critical Infrastructures
• Critical infrastructures are “so vital (…) that the incapacity
or destruction of such systems and assets would have a
debilitating impact on security, national economic security,
national public health or safety.” [U.S. Homeland Security
Presidential Directive on Critical Infrastructure
Identification, Prioritization, and Protection, December 17,
2003];
• Critical infrastructures are required to:
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 Assess their vulnerabilities to both physical and cyber
attacks;
 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

10. 12
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

19. 21
Critical Infrastructures are Interdependent

20. 22

21. 23
Cyberattacks are not the only chance.
Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP)

22. 24
Effects of an EMP Attack

23. 25
A future scenario to avoid…