Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By : Soledad Antelada Toledano
Book Image

Critical Infrastructure Security

By: Soledad Antelada Toledano

Overview of this book

Discover the core of cybersecurity through gripping real-world accounts of the most common assaults on critical infrastructure – the body of vital systems, networks, and assets so essential that their continued operation is required to ensure the security of a nation, its economy, and the public’s health and safety – with this guide to understanding cybersecurity principles. From an introduction to critical infrastructure and cybersecurity concepts to the most common types of attacks, this book takes you through the life cycle of a vulnerability and how to assess and manage it. You’ll study real-world cybersecurity breaches, each incident providing insights into the principles and practical lessons for cyber defenders striving to prevent future breaches. From DDoS to APTs, the book examines how each threat activates, operates, and succeeds. Additionally, you’ll analyze the risks posed by computational paradigms, such as the advancement of AI and quantum computing, to legacy infrastructure. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to identify key cybersecurity principles that can help mitigate evolving attacks to critical infrastructure.
Table of Contents (16 chapters)
1
Part 1: Introduction to Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Concepts
5
Part 2: Dissecting Cyberattacks on CI
8
Part 3: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
12
Part 4: What’s Next

What is Critical Infrastructure?

Critical infrastructure (CI) refers to the assets, systems, and networks that are essential for the functioning of a society and its economy. These include physical assets that support the delivery of services such as energy, water, transportation, healthcare, communications, emergency services, and financial services. The term critical infrastructure also encompasses the resources, facilities, and systems that are necessary for national security, public safety, and public health.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) identifies 16 CI sectors in the United States, as shown in Figure 1.1. These sectors are considered so vital that their disruption, incapacitation, or destruction could have a severe impact on national security, public health and safety, or economic security:

Figure 1.1 – Critical infrastructure sector

Figure 1.1 – Critical infrastructure sector

This chapter will cover the following topics:

  • Overview of CI sectors
  • Impacts of compromised sectors
  • Cyberattack scenarios in CI sectors
  • Risk mitigation examples

To shift our focus toward a more detailed examination of each sector, let’s now explore them individually.