Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

INFRASTRUCTURE DEPENDENCY INDICATORS

THERESA BROWN

Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

1 INTRODUCTION

Interdependencies are created by multiple dependencies between two or more infrastructures. Hence, dependencies are the fundamental building block of interdependencies and models of these interconnected, interdependent systems. This article provides an overview of the state of the art in identifying infrastructure dependencies and analyzing their importance with respect to infrastructure protection measures.

2 SCIENTIFIC OVERVIEW

Infrastructures evolved with society and technology. Infrastructure dependency analysis for homeland security applications is a relatively new field of study encouraged in the United States by the National Research Council [1], endorsed and funded by the federal government [2]. Funding over the last 6–10 years, primarily by government agencies, produced new interdisciplinary programs and centers at universities (e.g. Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence at Michigan State University, University of Southern California, John Hopkins University, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M University, and the University of Maryland; the Critical Infrastructure Modeling and Assessment Program at the Virginia Tech Center for Energy and the Global Environment); new analysis centers at national laboratories (e.g. National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center at Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories and Infrastructure Assurance ...