Title: A methodological approach for characterisation of critical national infrastructure

Authors: Uche M. Mbanaso; Julius A. Makinde; Victor E. Kulugh

Addresses: Centre for Cyberspace Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria ' Department of Computer Science, BAZE University, Abuja, Nigeria ' Centre for Cyberspace Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

Abstract: This article presents a methodological approach for the characterisation of critical national infrastructure (CNI). Despite several approaches to identifying CNI, there has not been any universally acceptable way that is agreeable because a country's CNI priority may differ. CNI enabled by information and communications technology (ICT) is usually referred to as critical national information infrastructure (CNII). Thus, the security of CNII requires a far-reaching approach that is harmonised and agile to mutually respond to global cyber threats. Without proportionate safeguards, the increasingly interconnected and interdependent infrastructures can create vulnerability opportunities that can cause failures with cascading or escalating effects. Consequently, proper characterisation, categorisation and designation of CNI are vital to effective CNII protection and resilience. We approached the study by extensive review, analysis and synthesis of CNI of selected countries around the globe. Then, we applied a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) to show how CNI can be derived, and designated.

Keywords: critical national infrastructure; CNI; critical national information infrastructure; CNII; multi-criteria decision making; MCDM; comparative analysis; information and communications technology; ICT dependency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCIS.2023.130446

International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, 2023 Vol.19 No.2, pp.172 - 197

Received: 04 Jan 2021
Accepted: 07 Apr 2021
Published online: 21 Apr 2023 *

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