Cyber Operations

11Strategic Cyber Effects (2)

11.1 Critical Infrastructure Strategic Cyber Effects

Cyber attacks on critical infrastructure can produce nightmare scenarios. For example, a 2015 Lloyd’s of London study, “Business Blackout,” showed a possible 93 million Americans, across 11 states and the District of Columbia, being without power due to a cyber attack, costing an estimated $243 Billion, $1 Trillion in the most stressing scenario (Trevor Maynard, 2015).

In addition to catastrophic scenarios, we now have ransomware gangs, criminals, attacking critical infrastructure targets, and holding them hostage. For example, Russian ransomware gangs (e.g., CONTI) became famous for attacking critical infrastructure in Brazil (JBS Foods), Costa Rica (Government IT), and the United States (Colonial Oil, NEW Cooperative) in 2021. These critical infrastructure targets are considered strategic due to the life‐sustaining necessity of keeping these services available.

11.1.1 Critical Infrastructure

The 16 critical infrastructure sectors (Chapter 4) are designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide an overview of how policymakers view the importance of certain public services. The denial or manipulation of any of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors therefore constitutes a strategic effect, meriting at least a law enforcement response.

11.1.1.1 Energy Sector

Energy, especially electricity, is used to support almost every other service. The possible harm due to an electrical ...