National Power Grid Assessment Critical Infrastructure Appraisal

Executive Overview National Power Grid Assessment: Critical Infrastructure Appraisal of Exposure to CyberTerrorism, an Operational Review Scott M. Shemwell, D.B.A. Can useful criteria to measure risk and vulnerability be developed that assess all the many variables? The 9/11 Commission Report Page 396. Power Grid Exposure The nation’s power grid is at risk. Events of August 14, 2003 demonstrated that the Northeast power grid could fail in a catastrophic way. Logic suggests that any other power grid might crash in a similar manner. While the cause of the northeast grid failure has yet to be finally determined, it is clear that ultimately it was a failure of information technology (IT). While a physical event such as a tree falling on a power line might have been the root cause, the computer systems managing the grid responded as a function of electron flow among sensing and decision-making devices. The failure of these systems to effectively deal with the event led to almost complete system failure. This is exactly the problem identified with many online systems during Y2K readiness assessments only four years ago! Moreover, because the decision cycle of automated systems is faster than the human oversight systems, the machines may accelerate a decision process more rapidly than human intervention can overrule. There is clearly a need for organizations, both private and public, that are involved with the nation’s power grid to understand how the networked automated decision-making systems function, and how these systems may be designed or managed more effectively to prevent a recurrence of that August’s economic calamity through natural risk factors or from A TERRORIST-DRIVEN CYBER INTRUSION. T Proposed Assessment Strategic Decision Sciences has a dedicated management consulting team that has significant experience understanding, assessing, and changing (technological and organizational) processes with automated systems. The electrical grid systems across the United States are held together by networked systems operating in real time. This is a unique exposure to cyber terrorism and presents nefarious characters with a unique entry point vis-à-vis the Internet to inflict significant economic and possibly physical harm on the United States of America. - Page 1 of 2 - National Power Grid Assessment: Critical Infrastructure Appraisal of Exposure to Cyber-Terrorism, an Operational Review Scope of the Study Strategic Decision Sciences proposes to conduct a nationwide assessment of the state of the nation’s electrical grid and its exposure to cyber terrorism in particular. Keeping in mind the mantra of the 9/11 Commission, this assessment will consist of: ● Develop an assessment of state of the art cyber security and near term technological and process innovations, regardless of industry; ● Work with the major organizations, private as well as public, that are addressing the cyber terrorism problem to develop a compilation of best practices; ● Conduct personal interviews with major industry players to develop an understanding of their perspectives and cyber security initiatives; ● Develop a final report through data compilation and information integration, to be available both in hard copy and electronic media. Strategic Decision Sciences and its principals are eligible for security clearances and the final report can be developed as a Secret or higher level document. In keeping with the Call to Action of the 9/11 Commission, Strategic Decision Sciences is prepared to launch this initiative immediately with the final report presented to appropriate authorities in six months. Strategic Decision Sciences will provide a detailed Scope of Work, Set of Deliverables, and Credentials upon request. About Strategic Decision Sciences Strategic Decision Sciences LLP provides its clients with tailored strategic behavioral economics based programs designed to provide organizational flexibility, rapid operational response, and cultural adaptability. The firm’s clients include Fortune 500 global firms and non-profit organizations, as well as mid-size companies faced with the need to swiftly transform when confronted by global business dynamics. Contact Scott M. Shemwell, D.B.A Scott.Shemwell@StrategicDecisionSciences.com www.StrategicDecisionSciences.com Tel: 281-414-6958 Fax: 281-492-0220 S. Shemwell - Page 2 of 2 -