It’s interesting how critical infrastructure like water systems, power grids, transportation networks and even communication systems rarely get noticed by the general public when everything is working as it should. But the moment something goes wrong, the whole society suddenly realizes just how vulnerable it is.
A contamination within the water system could mean a public health hazard. A cyberattack on transportation networks could result in thousands of stranded passengers, widespread delays, and major supply chain disruptions.
Modern society relies on this infrastructure, and that’s why it must be kept safe and secure at all times. Modern threats like cyberattacks also pose a risk to critical infrastructure. But several innovations are proving very effective at keeping critical infrastructure safe from both physical and cyber threats. Here are four such innovations:
AI is transforming the safety and security management of critical infrastructure. The beauty of artificial intelligence is that they can analyze millions of data points and highlight potential issues before they actually occur.
This is particularly important when dealing with vital infrastructure, where even minor disruptions can result in significant loss of life and millions of dollars in losses.
AI-powered systems are improving the safety and security of critical infrastructure through predictive monitoring. These systems analyze data from the sensors used in the infrastructure and use their training data to detect abnormalities.
For example, they can analyze pressure data from the sensors in a water treatment plant. Sudden pressure spikes or drops can signal potential leaks or equipment malfunctions. The monitoring systems will raise the alarm early, which helps to avert disruptions and hazards.
These systems also protect key infrastructure against intruders through smart monitoring. Silent Sentinel long-range thermal cameras are an excellent example of this. These camera systems feature smart tracking algorithms that lock onto intruders and track them as they move. It allows security personnel to respond faster and with more accuracy.
Internet of Things sensor networks improve the situational awareness of folks managing critical infrastructure. The sensors collect and send real-time data to control dashboards where operators can monitor system performance and respond efficiently to anomalies.
In addition, modern safety and security systems are designed to talk to one another. So, when a particular sensor detects something that’s considered “abnormal,” it can trigger several actions across other systems. For instance, it may initiate data backup, send alerts to the operators, and activate lockdown processes.
Seamless integration between the different security systems facilitates faster response to security incidents. Facilities don’t have to rely on human intervention for everything. Processes like data backup and lockdowns can be activated automatically. Additionally, the human operators responding to emergencies are better informed because they have access to real-time data on what’s going on.
Zero trust is a cybersecurity strategy that enforces strict identity verification. With a zero-trust security architecture, networks assume everyone can be a threat. The network does not trust anyone by default. Everyone (people and other systems/devices trying to access the network) must verify their identity before access is granted.
That’s unlike the traditional castle-and-moat security system, where individuals from outside the network have a hard time gaining access, but anyone inside the network can pretty much do and access anything. The problem with that model is that if a bad actor gains access to the network, then they’ll be able to access and compromise the system.
Zero-trust security architecture enhances security against both external and internal threats. It ensures continuous monitoring and validation and maintains strict access controls.
It can change what a user or device can access in the network based on their access privileges, location, and other factors. For example, a user may not be able to access delicate parts of the network if they’re trying to log in remotely.
AI advancements are accelerating other industries, including robotics. Consider self-driving cars and robo-taxis, for example. These use technology like Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and thermal cameras.
The same tech is being used in drones and robotics to protect critical infrastructure and respond to hazards. We don’t have to put first responders in life-threatening situations anymore.
That also means we can use robots and drones to respond to emergencies in remote areas where human operators can’t reach. Firefighting drones are already a thing, for example.
