Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
Critical Infrastructure Security
Critical infrastructure describes the physical and cyber systems and assets that are so vital to the United States that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on our physical or economic security or public health or safety. The nation's critical infrastructure provides the essential services that underpin American society.
Managing Risk Through Collaboration
Critical infrastructure must be secure and able to withstand and rapidly recover from all hazards. Proactive and coordinated efforts are necessary to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure – including assets, networks, and systems – that are vital to public confidence and the Nation’s safety, prosperity, and well-being. This endeavor is a shared responsibility among Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, and public and private owners and operators of critical infrastructure.
Leading the National Effort
The Department of Homeland Security provides strategic guidance to public and private partners, promotes a national unity of effort, and coordinates the overall Federal effort to promote the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure.
November is Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month.
What can you do to make our Nation stronger and more resilient?
- Invest in physical and cyber risk management products and plans
- Educate employees about critical infrastructure security and resilience
- Plan for business continuity
- Share threat and incident information
- Report suspicious activity
- Prepare for all hazards at home and at work
- Check out the links below for more ideas and information
Electromagnetic Pulse and Geomagnetic Disturbances
Extreme electromagnetic incidents caused by an intentional electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack or a naturally occurring geomagnetic disturbance (GMD, also referred to as "space weather") could damage significant portions of the Nation's critical infrastructure, including the electrical grid, communications equipment, water and wastewater systems, and transportation modes.
What Is Critical Infrastructure?
Critical infrastructure is the backbone of our nation's economy, security, and health.
What Is Security and Resilience?
Learn what security and resilience mean from a critical infrastructure perspective.
Overview
The Department of Homeland Security works with businesses, communities, and local governments across the United States to enhance the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure and to prepare for and recover from any hazard facing us.
National Infrastructure Protection Plan
The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) provides a coordinated approach to critical infrastructure and key resource protection roles and responsibilities for federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector security partners.
Critical Infrastructure Resources
The Department of Homeland Security offers a wide array of free tools and resources to government and private sector partners to enable the critical infrastructure security and resilience mission.
Critical Infrastructure Training
The Department of Homeland Security offers a wide array of free training programs to government and private sector partners to enhance the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure.
Chemical Security
The Department strengthens security and resilience across the chemical sector through voluntary and regulatory programs and resources to help stakeholders secure chemical facilities across the Nation by ensuring they have security measures in place to reduce the risks associated with certain hazardous chemicals.
Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessments
Critical infrastructure vulnerability assessments are the foundation of the National Infrastructure Protection Plan’s risk-based implementation of protective programs designed to prevent, deter, and mitigate the risk of a terrorist attack while enabling timely, efficient response and restoration in an all-hazards post-event situation.
Information Sharing: A Vital Resource
The ability of federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners to quickly share accurate information on critical infrastructure is essential to the nation’s security and resilience.
Critical Infrastructure Sector Partnerships
Federal, state, local, tribal, territorial governments, regional coalitions, and the private sector work together to share information and best practices and implement programs to enhance the security and resilience of the nation's critical infrastructure resources.
Cybersecurity
Our daily life, economic vitality, and national security depend on a stable, safe, and resilient cyberspace.
International Critical Infrastructure Engagement
In today’s interdependent and interconnected world, the safety and security of critical infrastructure requires concerted efforts of public private partners around the globe.
