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Addressing Critical Infrastructure Interdependencies and Dependencies

The inherent interconnections and resulting interdependencies between domestic communications networks and various other infrastructure sectors pose significant threats not only to our national security, but also to the availability of NS/EP communications services and the operational capabilities of other infrastructures reliant upon communications services.

• Telecommunications and Electric Power Interdependencies. Throughout its history, the NSTAC has considered the interdependencies between the telecommunications and electric power sectors to be critical to continuous telecommunications service. Recently, the NSTAC completed a study of the interdependencies between telecommunications and electric power. This effort focused on the potential impact on telecommunications network services in the event of a sustained power grid outage. In response, the Government established a working group to develop the response to the recommendations in the NSTAC report. Additionally, the NSTAC also considered the implications of High Altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse on the Nation’s telecommunications networks; the vulnerability of telecommunications to the loss of commercial electric power; sector interdependencies after a major earthquake; and the necessary criteria and processes for identifying critical industry NS/EP telecommunications facilities that qualify for electric power restoration and priority fuel distribution.
  
  
• Critical Infrastructure Risk Assessments. To address the dependency of various infrastructures on telecommunications, the NSTAC conducted risk assessments for the energy, financial services, and transportation sectors to heighten their awareness of cross-sector information assurance and infrastructure protection issues.
  
  
• Financial Services. Financial services, such as core payment, clearance, and settlement processes of financial institutions, depend heavily upon the communications infrastructure. Disruption of communications service could hamper critical financial services processes and potentially affect the national economy. The NSTAC examined this subject and identified a need for the financial services infrastructure to assure diverse and resilient access connection capabilities to the telecommunications infrastructure, recommending the development of requirements and best practices for critical NS/EP customers to address this need. As networks evolve into global systems, additional economic security risks may arise from the globally accessible nature of the financial services sector.

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