Critical infrastructure is the foundation of society – reliable solutions for everyday life and emergencies

Critical infrastructure is the pillar of modern society. Without functional energy, water, transport, and communication networks, society would come to a halt. At Sweco, we design and develop safe, sustainable, and intelligent critical infrastructure solutions that address the challenges posed by climate change, digitalization, and security threats.

Critical infrastructure is the backbone of preparedness

Critical infrastructure refers to systems and structures essential for society. They must operate without interruption to ensure the smoothness and safety of everyday life. Critical infrastructure includes: 

1. Energy infrastructure and electricity 
2. Transport and logistics
3. Clean water and wastewater treatment 
4. Communication and telecommunications networks 

Also, safety planning is a crucial part of ensuring critical infrastructure. 

Sweco is an experienced expert in critical infrastructure. We offer solutions that promote safety, sustainability, and resilience in an ever-changing world.

Potential threats to critical infrastructure

Critical infrastructure faces various pressures and threats that can weaken its functionality. 

Natural phenomena and environmental risks

1. Extreme weather events such as storms, floods, droughts, frost periods, and sea level rise 
2. Long-term impacts of climate change on infrastructure sustainability 

Human-caused physical threats

1. Negligence – Accidental errors such as problems during maintenance or operation or shortcuts and surprises during implementation 
2. Intentional actions – Hybrid threats, sabotage, terrorism, or other deliberate attacks against infrastructure 

Digital security

1. Growing cybersecurity risks and cyber threats such as cyber-attacks, data thefts, and denial-of-service attacks, as well as hardware vulnerabilities 

Megatrends and developments

1. Technological transformation and digitalization that change the operation of critical infrastructure 
2. Population growth and urbanization that put pressure on existing infrastructure 
3. Geopolitical tensions and global supply chain risks 
4. Replacement of inventories with contracts 

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

Protecting critical infrastructure is complex because it consists of extensive, interdependent systems. Energy networks, transportation, communication, and water supply form a whole where a disruption in one area can widely affect other functions. For example, a power or communication outage alone can also incapacitate energy supply, water supply, and payment transactions. 

Resilience of Critical Infrastructure

The operational capability of critical infrastructure depends on its ability to anticipate disruptions, protect against them, and return to normal. Resilience ensures that the failure of a single component does not incapacitate the entire system. 

Key Principles of Resilience: 

1. Distributed structure: Critical infrastructure should be designed so that the failure of a single component does not stop the entire system. 
2. Backup systems: Continuity is ensured with alternative solutions, such as backup power systems and communication networks. 
3. Proactive risk management: Stress tests, training, exercises, scenario work, and continuous monitoring help identify and prevent potential disruptions in critical systems. 

Ensuring resilience is most cost-effective during the design phase, where threats are mapped out and design methods are used to prepare. In the implementation phase, it is important to ensure that new solutions do not create vulnerabilities in other systems or that ad hoc solutions are not made that weaken the planned resilience. During the operational phase, resilience is maintained through continuous risk analysis and monitoring, ensuring communication, stress testing, and training. 

Continuous development, contingency plans, and operational reliability testing ensure that critical infrastructure remains reliable even in unexpected situations. Cooperation and clear division of roles are essential in ensuring the security and reliability of infrastructure.