Workshop on Critical Infrastructure Protection*

The workshops identified fundamental Information Technology (IT) challenges that must be answered to make the critical infrastructure of the nation safer against potential attacks and to explore the international aspect of proposed research plans and policies.
Over the past two decades IT has become the primary driving force of the US economic growth. Inevitably, the tremendous penetration of IT in all spheres of the economy has created an essential interdependence between the safety and security of our energy, transportation and communication infrastructure and the safety and security of our information systems. This interdependence creates enormous risks and opportunities, as information technology is part of the problem and part of the solution. On one hand, safety and security problems with our information systems may create widespread damage in our critical infrastructure which could rapidly paralyze our economy. For example, vulnerability in SCADA systems, which are widely used in the power, chemical and transportation industries, may present major threat that must be avoided. On the other hand, information technology offers the only practical solution to the safe operation and effective protection of our critical infrastructure.
Recognizing this tremendous challenge and responsibility, the National Science Foundation provided funding for a dual workshop, which examined the crosscutting IT technology issues in critical infrastructure protection (CIP) and explored the international implications with the involvement of researchers supported by the European Commission.
The specific goals of the workshops were to
(1) identify potential vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure related to information systems,
(2) identify information systems and technologies essential for critical infrastructure protections,
(3) analyze interdependence among information systems, cyber infrastructure components and the proper and safe functioning of critical infrastructure systems, and
(4) identify research priorities in critical infrastructure systems controlled by information technology - e.g., power systems, aviation and selected areas.
The workshops focused on the information technology research emerging in the control of these systems, including developing approaches to ensure critical infrastructure systems protection and understanding and controlling system interdependencies.
*This project is not officially supported through CITRIS funds, but the faculty and topical affiliations are sufficiently strong that it is listed here for referral and convenience.