Decision technologies for protection of critical infrastructures

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Authors:

E. Lee
DSES
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180 USA
leee7@rpi.edu

W. A. Wallace
DSES
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180 USA
wallaw@rpi.edu

J. E. Mitchell
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY 12180 USA
mitchj@rpi.edu

D. Mendonça
Information Sysems Department
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ 07102 USA
djm@njit.edu

Citation details:

May 2005. Proceedings of "Working Together: R&D Partnerships in Homeland Security", Boston.

Abstract:

The goal of our effort is to eliminate or reduce the impact of a disruption to our critical infrastructures by protecting the quality of the services they provide. Decision technology supports those responsible for achieving this by: The Interdependent Layered Network (ILN) mathematical model was developed with the support of the National Science Foundation. The ILN model has been embedded in a prototype decision support system, MUNICIPAL, the MUlti-Network Interdependent Critical Infrastructure Program for Analysis of Lifelines, to support the design and assessment of protection strategies including: MUNICIPAL supports response and restoration following disruptions, facilitates analysis of threat scenarios and supports emergency preparation and training activities. Research has shown that MUNICIPAL can be used to identify vulnerability, taking interdependency into account, and suggest alternative strategies for protection of infrastructure systems. Data on the lifeline systems for the southern portion of Manhattan and the impact area of the Northridge earthquake are being used to assess the model.

This paper will discuss the research needed to develop the ILN model and MUNICIPAL, the decision support system. It will then discuss the components of MUNICIPAL and how it can be used for system design, vulnerability analysis and restoration following a disruption.

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