Healthcare and Public Health Sector (hospitals)

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please:
• Read
o Secure Cyberspace and Critical InfrastructureLinks to an external site.
o Preserve and Uphold the Nation’s Prosperity and Economic SecurityLinks to an external site.
o Chapter 1 of Critical Infrastructure Protection in Homeland Security: Defending a Networked Nation
o Analysis of Critical Infrastructure Dependencies and InterdependenciesLinks to an external site.
When thinking about a targeted cyberattack on the area of critical infrastructure you selected, consider the third- and fourth-order effects that show how far-reaching and devastating a cyberattack could be and how it might ultimately impact another Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource (CIKR) facility.
For example, a first-order effect would be the initial attack, and second-order effects would be the direct results of the attack. A first-order effect might be an attack against a power station, and a second-order effect might be that no traffic lights are operational. However, beyond the second (intended impact) order may be additional consequences, such as a significant traffic accident. A fourth-order effect might be multiple deaths, because ambulances can’t get to the accident and back to the hospital.
Building a Hazard Tree
A hazard tree requires that an analysis of hazards be done systematically. The tree can be represented as either an outline or a diagram. Its presentation should be in an attractive format to help visualize different levels of danger that may not have been previously considered. Two examples of how you might present your tree are provided.
The first example shows an outline, which can be created using a simple note outline in a Word document. There is one first-order hazard and two second-order hazards in the example. The first sequence is five orders deep and the second sequence is four orders deep.
1st Order: Attack at power station
• 2nd Order: Traffic lights inoperable
o 3rd Order: Multiple vehicle accidents
 4th Order: Deaths because emergency vehicles hindered by traffic light issues
• 5th Order: Emergency services overtaxed due to increased deaths and injuries from accidents
• 2nd Order: Nearby hospitals on backup power supplies
o 3rd Order: Hospitals have reduced functionality for non-essential tasks
 4th Order: Non-emergency care greatly limited
For the Critical Infrastructure and a Cyberattack Hazard Tree assignment, you will create a report that includes a hazard tree at least five orders deep with an analysis of how each element is interconnected.
The Critical Infrastructure and a Cyberattack Hazard Tree assignment should
• Describe which area of Critical Infrastructure or Key Resource (CIKR) your report will cover.
• Distinguish the interconnectedness of various critical infrastructure.
• Build a hazard tree diagraming the cascading effects of a cyberattack on your chosen CIKR site and other CIKR sites. It should be at least five orders deep, with a nexus to another type

Full Answer Section

       
  • Communication: Telecommunications networks and data centers require electricity for their functioning.
  • Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities depend on electricity for essential services such as medical equipment, lighting, and heating.
  • Water supply: Water treatment and distribution systems often rely on electricity for pumping and purification.
  • Manufacturing: Industrial processes and manufacturing facilities require electricity for production.

Hazard Tree

1st Order: Cyberattack on Power Grid Control Center

  • 2nd Order: Disruption of power generation and distribution
  • 3rd Order: Widespread power outages
  • 4th Order: Impact on transportation, communication, healthcare, water supply, and manufacturing sectors
  • 5th Order: Economic losses, social unrest, and potential national security threats

6th Order: Cascading effects on other critical infrastructure sectors, such as financial services and government operations

Analysis of Interconnectedness

A cyberattack on the electric power grid could have a cascading effect on other critical infrastructure sectors. For example:

  • Transportation: Power outages could disrupt traffic signals, public transportation, and other modes of transportation, leading to traffic congestion, accidents, and economic losses.
  • Communication: Telecommunications networks and data centers may experience outages or disruptions due to lack of power, affecting communication and information flow.
  • Healthcare: Hospitals and clinics may have to rely on backup generators, which may not be sufficient to power all critical equipment. This could lead to delays in patient care, disruptions in medical procedures, and potential loss of life.
  • Water supply: Power outages could disrupt water treatment and distribution systems, leading to water shortages and contamination risks.
  • Manufacturing: Production processes may be halted or disrupted due to lack of power, leading to economic losses and supply chain disruptions.

Conclusion

The electric power grid is a highly interconnected critical infrastructure asset. A cyberattack on this infrastructure could have far-reaching and devastating consequences, impacting multiple sectors of society. It is essential to invest in cybersecurity measures to protect the power grid and mitigate the risks associated with cyberattacks.

 

Sample Answer

   

Critical Infrastructure Area: Electric Power Grid

The electric power grid is a critical infrastructure asset that underpins modern society. A cyberattack on this infrastructure could have far-reaching and devastating consequences.

Interconnectedness of Critical Infrastructure

The electric power grid is interconnected with numerous other critical infrastructure sectors, including:

  • Transportation: Traffic signals, public transportation, and other modes of transportation rely on electricity for operation.