Critical Infrastructure Protection against Cyber Threats

A functioning modern society depends on a complex tapestry of infrastructures: energy, communications, transportation, food, and many others. This article discusses the developing cyber threat to critical infrastructure while focusing on several dimensions: aspects to the threat that require an interdisciplinary approach; defense against the threat; the existing Israeli response; and the developing challenges. An informed public debate is likely to lead to improved protection of national infrastructures in the civilian and public sectors.The article begins by de ning the subject of critical infrastructures, and discusses the origins, uniqueness, and innovativeness of the threat to them. It then discusses levels of coping with the threat, using conceptual parallels to the world of military content. The existing Israeli response will be reviewed brie y, with an emphasis on the central challenges the cyber threat poses to public policy. Finally, directions for future research and action will be presented.