I just returned from a meeting where I was invited to speak. The event was called The Infrastructure Modernization Initiative: Homeland Security Implications and Challenges and was hosted by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CDHS
https://www.chds.us/?home) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey. There was a multidisciplinary group representing critical infrastructure from police to fire fighters, physical security, and of course cyber security as well as control systems security.
I would describe the overall feeling as upbeat but concerned. They are upbeat because critical infrastructure is finally getting some badly needed attention. The concern stems from the general lack of any provision in the stimulus package to specifically address security. I am not suggesting that the packages in the stimulus bill are inherently insecure, but in the rush to get the economy moving we are once again relegating security to the “some day” category.
Just yesterday the US Department of Energy announced that it would award $2 billion for the development of new battery technology to support electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/20/president-obama-announces-2-4-billion-for-electric-vehicles/ . This is just one example of the money flowing into critical infrastructure and it is obviously needed to upgrade the power grid (i.e., Smart Grid) if we all expect to drive electric vehicles in the next few years.
Will these efforts and all these billions of dollars produce the expected results? Using history as the best predictor of future events, let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane
http://www.energy.gov/about/timeline1971-1980.htm . 30 years ago US President Carter dedicated millions of dollars to R&D in solar technology and oversaw the installation of solar cells at the White House. In addition, President Carter also created an $88 billion dollar program to develop synthetic fuels. So, where have those investments, programs, and entire departments gotten us? Are we more energy independent or less? Are we more secure or less? Obviously, these are rhetorical questions. We are MORE dependent on foreign oil than at any time in our history. And, we are LESS secure.
When I stop to ponder these two issues I can see the relationship. It is not owing to some cleverly crafted conspiracy. It is a simple principle of business. Profit. Maximize profit. This one single guiding principle leads us to import foreign oil when the price is low and then we have no capacity and no alternative when the price goes up. This single principle forces us to outsource function after function to the lowest bidder, which is increasingly overseas. And now with Internet connections available to even small town electric substations, it makes perfect business sense to connect everything to the Internet to reduce overhead costs.
It’s time to come to grips with the notion that we simply cannot maintain our economy, our Nation, or even the continued functioning of the world without securing our critical infrastructure.
Regards,
Pery