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Home President's
NSTAC
Addressing Critical Infrastructure
Interdependencies and Dependencies
The inherent interconnections and
resulting interdependencies between domestic communications networks
and various other infrastructure sectors pose significant threats not
only to our national security, but also to the availability of NS/EP
communications services and the operational capabilities of other infrastructures
reliant upon communications services.
- Telecommunications and Electric
Power Interdependencies. Throughout its history, the NSTAC
has considered the interdependencies between the telecommunications
and electric power sectors to be critical to continuous telecommunications
service. Recently, the NSTAC completed a study of the interdependencies
between telecommunications and electric power. This effort focused
on the potential impact on telecommunications network services in
the event of a sustained power grid outage. In response, the Government
established a working group to develop the response to the recommendations
in the NSTAC report. Additionally, the NSTAC also considered the implications
of High Altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse on the Nation’s telecommunications
networks; the vulnerability of telecommunications to the loss of commercial
electric power; sector interdependencies after a major earthquake;
and the necessary criteria and processes for identifying critical
industry NS/EP telecommunications facilities that qualify for electric
power restoration and priority fuel distribution.
- Critical Infrastructure Risk Assessments.
To address the dependency of various infrastructures on telecommunications,
the NSTAC conducted risk assessments for the energy, financial services,
and transportation sectors to heighten their awareness of cross-sector
information assurance and infrastructure protection issues.
- Financial Services.
Financial services, such as core payment, clearance, and settlement
processes of financial institutions, depend heavily upon the communications
infrastructure. Disruption of communications service could hamper
critical financial services processes and potentially affect the national
economy. The NSTAC examined this subject and identified a need for
the financial services infrastructure to assure diverse and resilient
access connection capabilities to the telecommunications infrastructure,
recommending the development of requirements and best practices for
critical NS/EP customers to address this need. As networks evolve
into global systems, additional economic security risks may arise
from the globally accessible nature of the financial services sector.
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