Infrastructure Data Taxonomy

Critical infrastructure can be described and categorized in different ways. Unfortunately, this can result in unreliable communication within the homeland security community that can delay the decision-making process. To prevent such problems, the Department of Homeland Security created the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy (IDT) to promote a common infrastructure terminology for the Department and its mission partners.

Common Terminology for Describing Critical Infrastructure

The Taxonomy categorizes infrastructure assets and establishes a common language for everyone. It also supports a more efficient data integration and transfer of data between systems, which provide a foundation for numerous applications that focus on the identification, collection, and sharing of the nation’s critical infrastructure information. By applying a detailed, structured system to help categorize assets by sectors, sub-sectors, segments, sub-segments, and asset type, the IDT minimizes the potential for confusion.

How to Access the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy

Mission partners can request access to the taxonomy by completing the registration form on the Taxonomy Portal.

If you already have an IDT account, login to access the portal to download, view, or comment on the IDT.

How Is the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy Used?

Although the IDT is not mandatory, this taxonomy is widely used by various homeland security partners, including other federal agencies and state governments, to facilitate information sharing and interoperability.

Through the IDT's structure terminology, user can designate the particular group that an asset belongs to. Users can then apply additional taxonomy levels to further specify the asset and describe its functions.

For example, in referring to the same nuclear power plant, the government and private sector could reference it either as a nuclear plant, a nuclear site, or a nuclear facility. The diagram below shows how this specific nuclear facility would be classified using the IDT:

• Sector: The nuclear plant is identified as being part of the Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector.
  • Sub-Sector: Within the Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector, the nuclear plant is designated as part of the Nuclear Facility sub-sector.
    • Segment: The nuclear plant is identified as part of the Nuclear Power Plant segment to recognize the plant’s purpose.
      • Sub-Segment: Finally, the nuclear plant can be categorized as being part of the Boiling Water Reactor sub-segment to recognize how the plant produces energy.

Contact

Learn how the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy can support your organization's homeland security efforts by contacting the IP Gateway Help Desk at IPGateway@hq.dhs.gov or 1-866-844-8163.