Critical infrastructure systems are vital to day-to-day life for most humans. They include facilities, networks, and other elements that we rely on every day for public health and safety. Critical infrastructure systems are responsible for our power, water, transportation, and internet (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, n.d.). 

With the number of things critical information systems are tied to, they are responsible for a lot, and it’s very important that they function the way they are supposed to. Along with everything in technology, critical information systems have known vulnerabilities that need to be mitigated for continued security and proper functioning. These vulnerabilites  include outdated software, poor password security, and default credentials due to the fact that ICS devices are connected to corporate networks (Office of the Director of National Intelligence, n.d.).

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition are used to control the processes for Infrastructure systems. They are the centralized systems that control the complex systems reducing the chance of human error. SCADA systems use different controls to complete this and provide readings and other data to human operators on a screen (“SCADA Systems”, n.d.). I believe this helps mitigate risks because everything can be monitored in a central location and it becomes easier to quickly detect a problem and either fix it or shut the system down. SCADA systems also can have their own vulnerabilities. They are still vulnerable to cyber attacks if not secured properly. 

WORKS CITED

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. (n.d.). Guide to critical infrastructure security and resilience. https://app.perusall.com/courses/202520_cyse200t_26006-cybersecurity-technol-society/guide-critical-infrastructure-security-resilience?filter=all

Office of the Director of National Intelligence. (2024, June). Recent cyber attacks on U.S. infrastructure underscore vulnerability of critical U.S. systems. https://app.perusall.com/courses/202520_cyse200t_26006-cybersecurity-technol-society/recent_cyber_attacks_on_us_infrastructure_underscore_vulnerability_of_critical_us_systems-june2024

SCADA systems. (n.d.). Perusall course materials. https://app.perusall.com/courses/202520_cyse200t_26006-cybersecurity-technol-society/scada-systems?filter=all