Challenges in the vulnerability and risk analysis of critical infrastructures

Enrico Zio

Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 2016, vol. 152, issue C, 137-150

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to provide a systematic view on the problem of vulnerability and risk analysis of critical infrastructures. Reflections are made on the inherent complexities of these systems, related challenges are identified and possible ways forward for their analysis and management are indicated. Specifically: the framework of vulnerability and risk analysis is examined in relation to its application for the protection and resilience of critical infrastructures; it is argued that the complexity of these systems is a challenging characteristic, which calls for the integration of different modeling perspectives and new approaches of analysis; examples of are given in relation to the Internet and, particularly, the electric power grid, as representative of critical infrastructures and the associated complexity; the integration of different types of analyses and methods of system modeling is put forward for capturing the inherent structural and dynamic complexities of critical infrastructures and eventually evaluating their vulnerability and risk characteristics, so that decisions on protections and resilience actions can be taken with the required confidence.

Keywords: Critical infrastructures; Complex systems; Systems of systems; Electric power grids; Smart grids; Vulnerability; Risk; Resilience; Uncertainty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (85)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:reensy:v:152:y:2016:i:c:p:137-150

DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2016.02.009

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