Critical Infrastructure

There is a network of often interlinked pieces of infrastructure including physical and virtual components that are vital for the functioning of the systems and technology that we rely on in our everyday lives.

The resilience and reliability of these critical infrastructures are essential for the smooth functioning of society, and the economy. Disruptions or failures in these systems can have significant consequences, leading to economic losses, public safety concerns, and social disruptions. Therefore, protecting and maintaining the security of critical infrastructure is of paramount importance for governments, businesses, and individuals. It involves investing in cyber security measures, disaster preparedness, and proactive maintenance, to ensure these systems can withstand potential threats, either natural or manmade.

Communication: The internet serves as the backbone of modern communication and connectivity, enabling data transfer, online services, and global communication. Telecommunication networks, including wired and wireless systems, are critical for voice and data communication. Satellite infrastructure provides communication, navigation, weather monitoring, and global positioning services. These systems are all reliant on each other to function effectively, and are also reliant on other critical infrastructure, such as power supply to ensure they continue to operate in extreme situations.

Energy Supply: Electricity grids are essential for providing power to homes, businesses, and industries. A stable power supply is vital for running technology-based systems and supporting critical services. The data centres that telecommunications and the internet rely on to function utilise Uninterruptible Power Supplies. A UPS is a back up solution that takes over in the event of a failure of the main network. Local and National Governments have invested heavily in UPS technology as part of disaster readiness programmes.

Financial Systems: Financial infrastructure includes banking systems, payment processors, and stock exchanges, which facilitate transactions and economic activities. While it’s tempting to think that we could manage without them, the truth is that financial markets are essential to the smooth running of the economy that drives every aspect of our lives. While cyberattacks are the most likely threat to disruption of financial systems, they are also reliant on the power to their data centres being “always on”.

Healthcare: Modern healthcare heavily relies on technology for medical equipment, electronic health records, telemedicine, and medical research. In 2021 the UK Department of Health’s published a document on ‘Electrical Services supply and distribution.’ They subsequently signed a deal with Kohler Uninterruptible Power to provide systems to protect the National Health Service medical records system, as well as UPS for key clinical centres around the country to ensure that healthcare would continue in the event of a major power failure.

Emergency Services: Technology is essential for emergency response systems, such as 911, or 999 contact services. Public safety communications are becoming commonplace in many countries. The UK carried out a first test of a nationwide alert mechanism using the Cell phone networks in early 2023. Disaster readiness and management is a vast topic on its own with lessons still being learnt from 9/11, and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. We will look at this subject in more detail in a future blog.

 

Protecting and maintaining the resilience of these critical technology infrastructures are paramount to ensuring the smooth functioning of our society and the economy. Government and business have a role in safeguarding these systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities. Terra Global Solutions work in many of the sectors we have outlined above. Our flexible and dynamic approach allows you to deliver a global sales team with knowledge and experience to where your products are needed most. We are constantly looking at innovative ways to put your business in front of organisations who understand the value of your offer. To learn more about Terra Global Solutions and how we can work with you to achieve your international expansion goals in any part of the planet, book a conversation, and follow us on LinkedIn for the latest news from Terra Global Solutions.

 

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