Surety of the nation`s critical infrastructures: The challenge restructuring poses to the telecommunications sector
The telecommunications sector plays a pivotal role in the system of increasingly connected and interdependent networks that make up national infrastructure. An assessment of the probable structure and function of the bit-moving industry in the twenty-first century must include issues associated with the surety of telecommunications. The term surety, as used here, means confidence in the acceptable behavior of a system in both intended and unintended circumstances. This paper outlines various engineering approaches to surety in systems, generally, and in the telecommunications infrastructure, specifically. It uses the experience and expectations of the telecommunications system of the US as an example of the global challenges. The paper examines the principal factors underlying the change to more distributed systems in this sector, assesses surety issues associated with these changes, and suggests several possible strategies for mitigation. It also studies the ramifications of what could happen if this sector became a target for those seeking to compromise a nation`s security and economic well being. Experts in this area generally agree that the U. S. telecommunications sector will eventually respond in a way that meets market demands for surety. Questions remain open, however, about confidence in the telecommunications sector and the nation`s infrastructure during unintended circumstances--such as those posed by information warfare or by cascading software failures. Resolution of these questions is complicated by the lack of clear accountability of the private and the public sectors for the surety of telecommunications.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Financial Management and Controller, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 653970
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-98-0930C; CONF-980433-; ON: DE98004739; BR: YN0100000; TRN: AHC2DT05%%52
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Managing the telecommunications sector post-privatization, Washington, DC (United States), 27-28 Apr 1998; Other Information: PBD: Apr 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Simulating economic effects of disruptions in the telecommunications infrastructure.
Identifying, understanding, and analyzing critical infrastructure interdependencies.