Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities
Study offers basis for an assessment of the operation of critical infrastructure and situation awareness
According to the study, a weatherproof national grid and battery backed-up communications networks would together improve reliability of operation more than either measure alone. Outside built-up areas, a weatherproof power transmission network improves the reliability of power supply to consumers more than to mobile communications networks. With increasing network automation and remote control systems, the risks from cyber-attacks and extensive equipment failures may grow.
These are the findings of a study designed to create methodologies for an extensive analysis of the operation of critical infrastructure and the formation of a situation picture, particularly with a view to power distribution and data communications networks. The report presents results gathered from interviews and by means of simulations, lists requirements related to situation awareness and offers recommendations for improving the resilience of the infrastructure. Modern society depends on the uninterrupted provision of many services, such as electricity, water and data communications. All the services vital to society are referred to collectively as ‘critical infrastructure’.
The study addresses the situation awareness required of individual infrastructure operators as well as what is required to formulate a more extensive situation picture that covers several infrastructure sectors and is suitable for the purposes of rescue services. The study makes use of detailed simulation models to analyse the interdependencies of electricity and data communications networks today and in 2030.
This user-oriented study of power distribution and data communications networks and rescue operations in the event of a major disruption is based on interviews with experts and a desk study of the development and use of data communication and power distribution technologies and related services. Thematic interviews were conducted to gather information on the responses of the various operators to major disruptions and the technical approaches to network repairs and control. Additionally, the study analysed links between operators in case of major disruptions and invited estimates of changes that will take place by 2030.
In the technological section of the study, the gathered data were used to create detailed simulation models to analyse the state of the power distribution and data communications networks today and in 2030. The models were used to simulate storms as fierce as the ‘Hannu-Tapani’ storm of December 2011 and the combined impact of a cyber-attack on the power distribution grid and mobile phone networks and for the formation of a situation picture.
The network simulation of power distribution and data communications networks was integrated into the situation picture system to permit dissemination of real-time situation information. The event-based overall system was developed with a view to preventive failure management. The priority lists generated by the situation picture analysis system were used in the network simulator to enable dynamic prioritisation of repair sites. Aside from the information on the current situation, the system generates forecasts on how the scenarios will evolve, which improves foresighting capabilities and situation awareness.
The project was carried out as part of the implementation of the 2015 Government plan for analysis, assessment and research.
For more information on the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities, see tietokayttoon.fi
Inquiries: Professor Jouko Vankka, National Defence University, tel. +358 (0)299 530 489, jouko.vankka(at)mil.fi; and Senior Scientist Seppo Horsmanheimo, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, tel. +358 (0)40 542 3599, seppo.horsmanheimo(at)vtt.fi