Imagine life without electricity, transportation, food deliveries...critical services suddenly vanish with devastating impact across society. Now imagine if everyday people like you and I had the power to prevent this.

Securing critical infrastructure that communities rely on is a complex challenge but also a shared responsibility we all bear. As threats evolve rapidly, a collaborative effort is needed to strengthen protections and resilience.

In this article, we’ll demystify the crucial role of critical infrastructure, threats imperiling these systems, and most importantly—tangible ways communities and individuals can unite to safeguard essential services against disruptions. 

Each year, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) leads the national recognition of Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (CISR) Month in November. My invitation to you is to join me in unveiling the power we have around critical infrastructure safety so we may thrive in an uncertain future!

What is Critical Infrastructure and Why it Matters

Critical infrastructure refers to the vital systems and assets that underpin society as we know it—from electricity, water and transportation to communications, healthcare and beyond.

These services seem abstract but in reality enable nearly every aspect of our interdependent lives. Imagine hunkering down through a snowstorm without heating, electricity or accessible roads. Food spoiling as refrigeration fails. Banks unable to process finances digitally. These conveniences disappearing shows how heavily we lean on infrastructure working properly.

In short, critical infrastructure provides the essential ingredients communities need to function and meet citizens’ basic needs. Its security and resilience affects everyone.

An Interconnected System of Systems

A common misconception is envisioning critical infrastructure as independent mechanical parts powering along separately to keep communities humming.

In reality, infrastructure consists of deeply interdependent networks reliant on one another in ways not always visible. Water plants depend on electricity to filter and distribute their vital resources. Digital systems rely on transportation networks sprawling underground carrying signals. Disruptions cascade rapidly.

Think of infrastructure as an ecosystem—seemingly disjointed elements that actually sustain each other in delicate balance. By appreciating these connections, we better understand threats that emerge.

Threats Old and New Putting Infrastructure at Risk

From extreme weather to cyber criminals or Cybermonsters as I call them, hazards exposing critical infrastructure are proliferating as systems strain under pressure from age, underinvestment and human volatility.

Extreme weather events like floods, storms and wildfires do untold harm by battering physical infrastructure not designed for such violent conditions. Roads crumble under raging floodwaters; power lines topple under hurricane winds; utility assets sustaining heat and smoke damage.

Meanwhile cyber threats wage war through routers, cables and circuits of vulnerable digital infrastructure underpinning nearly all modern services. As shocking disruptions like the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack revealed, hackers can now paralyze physical supply chains by hijacking their digital nerves.

And let’s not forget insider and physical threats. Disgruntled employees, foreign adversaries and domestic extremists with singular destructive focus often target accessible critical infrastructure assets for attack ranging from vandalism to sabotage.

Infrastructure faces no shortage of danger. But risks demand prevention. By understanding threats collectively, communities gain power to safeguard against them.

Extreme Weather Multiplies Hazards

I’m not an expert in this area but escalating climate change acts as a threat amplifier by fueling extreme weather attacking vulnerable infrastructure already strained near capacity under normal conditions. I learned to appreciate the weather and its changes.

Imagine utility grids overloaded by surging air conditioner usage then suddenly inundated by severe flooding. Or roads sustained by aging bridges abruptly hammered by intense precipitation and winds. Factoring greater environmental volatility into risk scenarios is key because during catastrophes Cybermonsters may tend to strike.

By acknowledging extreme weather multiplies hazards, we make infrastructure less fragile and citizens safer as turbulence grows. We can choose to be more Intentional, Aware, and Mindful and make better decisions whether online or offline. 

The Role of Citizens and Communities

I  know what you are thinking. Critical infrastructure is the concern solely for utility companies, manufacturers and government officials. But listen, smaller players and regular people like you and me actually can determine outcomes—communities and informed citizens can make an immense difference through collective awareness and responsibility.

How can local groups and individuals contribute to infrastructure security?

• Learn how interconnected infrastructure directly affects you so you help strengthen it

• Participate in safety initiatives happening nationally and locally year-round

• Report suspicious, dangerous or unusual public utility activity to authorities

• Inform elected officials on needed infrastructure investments in your community

• Volunteer for responder groups like Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

• Share critical infrastructure awareness with friends and neighbors

Listen, now is the time for us to recognize infrastructure supports everyone, so keeping it safe and resilient requires unified public action.

Simplifying Complexity - Accessible Ways to Understand Infrastructure Security

Let’s start by demystifying infrastructure complexity, this is key so communities properly value its place in their safety and function. But where to start? 

Here are three simplified ways to wrap your mind around it:

• Be Intentional and envision walking through your day — Mentally trace your everyday actions relying on electricity, safe water access, digital connectivity, transportation arteries keeping goods flowing. This makes plain infrastructure’s integrated role and as you use it with intention you will appreciate it even more. 

• Be Aware of organizational dynamics – Consider past jobs and relationships vital when things operated smoothly, then severely impacted by one person leaving. This demonstrates infrastructure interconnectivity.

• Be Aware and imagine infrastructure needing repairs – Picture infrastructure as requiring preventative care and attention like vehicles to keep communities running. This reveals the upkeep needed to avoid consequences when neglected over time. The more aware and knowledgeable we are of our surroundings and services, the better we can report when something doesn’t seem right. 

• Be Mindful and fully present as you cultivate with your family and community the importance of infrastructure. Incorporate relatable analogies children and families can relate to, we can spark realization of infrastructure’s importance. Listen, recognition ignites responsibility into action!

Resilience Through Adaptation and Recovery

With threats rising, infrastructure security requires broadening beyond protection to resilience—the ability to anticipate, adapt and rapidly recover normal function through disruption.

This means infrastructure must evolve to withstand sudden shocks like storms or cyberattacks and quickly bounce back afterwards. Hazard preparation and contingency planning prevents total collapse when calamity strikes. After all, storms and threats will come, resilience dictates how infrastructure responds.

Emerging best practices like segmented network architecture in utilities, localized microgrids and redundant communications channels provide tangible examples of how companies strengthen resilience day-to-day. We all have room for growth to match pace with modern world volatility.

Collective Responsibility for Safety and Function

Critical infrastructure is a perfect embodiment of shared community dependence requiring unified responsibility. When citizens appreciate infrastructure upholding society, sudden disruptions triggering panic seem less threatening.

Every person relying upon safe roads, clean water, electricity owes commitment to strengthen these vulnerable lifelines. We all must care today to continue thriving tomorrow.

Special interests like utility shareholders, construction contractors and government agencies play roles. But engaged citizens hold the ultimate power—first to recognize importance, then take year-round action hardening defenses so communities survive anything.

Issuing a Call to Action for All

Hopefully this glimpse into often unseen critical infrastructure helps convey its indispensability, interconnectedness across sectors and threats making it highly vulnerable if left unaddressed.

I invite readers to start your journey understanding lifeline infrastructure upholding everyone. Find small ways to support reliability and safety locally. Talk with peers about recognizing infrastructure allowing society to function. And contact leaders to advocate for securing these shared cornerstones against gathering threats.

Stay informed on infrastructure protection initiatives like Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month observed each November. But don't confine infrastructure safety to one month - let’s make it a year-round effort!

I believe that when we make something personal, it is easier that we care and protect it. Choose to close-knit communities that possess the power to harden defenses and resilience against growing Cybermonsters. Critical infrastructure is too vital for siloed action any longer. 

The threats lurking ahead demand a response - will you help lead the way? Our connected futures call us all to advance this shared mission.  

Let’s Be Intentional, Aware and Mindful. Let’s choose to Be I AM!

Live Happily Ever Cyber!

Sandra Estok

Subscribe for more ways to protect what matters most to you against hackers, scammers, and Cybermonsters™