Question

The United States Government has identified 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof. In a substantive post (at least 250 words or greater) identify those 16 critical infrastructures in an order of priority.

Answer 1

Critical Infrastructure Sectors:

• The US government has been named 16 infrastructure sectors as critical due to many reasons from which one of the major reason is the security of these sectors. As the assets, systems, networks, etc are being considered as vital to most of the United States physical, economic and national security.
• So starting with the infrastructures according to the priority are as follows:
  1. Chemical & Fertilizer Sector:
     • ​​​​​​​This is the sector which was being given to the Department of Homeland Security by the government officials in order to look out for the sector-specific tasks.
  2. Communication Sector:
     • ​​​​​​​The communication sector is also one of the important sector which has greater impact on the US economy and also has been given to the Department of Homeland Security for security.
  3. Dam Sector:
     • ​​​​​​​This sector also holds a higher rate of security issues. Hence, this was also designated to the Department of Homeland Security for the physical security of the boundaries of the state with dams.
  4. Defense Industries:
     • ​​​​​​​This is the sector which is designated to the Department of Defense for various reasons such as development, maintenance, designs, etc
  5. Emergency services:
     • ​​​​​​​The emergency services are designated to the Department of Homeland security and will focus on providing prevention, response and recovery services for all the operations.
  6. IT sector:
     • ​​​​​​​The IT sector is the most important and prospered sector that also needs to be secured and is designated under the Department of Homeland Security.
  7. Transportation sector:
     • ​​​​​​​The transportation sector is also one of the most important sector that focuses on public welfare and has been designated to the Department of Transportation along with the Department of Homeland Security.
  8. Energy sector:
     • ​​​​​​​The energy sectors are also important from the public point of view and hence, it is being considered by the Department of Energy.
  9. Financial sector:
     • ​​​​​​​The financial sector is going to be designated by the Department of Treasury and becomes important to gather information and get it to the people.
  10. Agriculture sector:
      • ​​​​​​​The agriculture sectors are also an important factor and affected by certain nonhuman and human factors. Hence, it is been designated by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services.
  11. Manufacturing sector:
      • ​​​​​​​The manufacturing sectors are also important and are being given again to the Homeland Security Department for focusing on the important parts of manufacturing.
  12. Commercial Facilities sector:
      • ​​​​​​​This sector mainly focuses on the different range of sites such as shopping, e-commerce, business, entertainment, etc. and hence, it is being given to the Department of Homeland Security.
  13. Healthcare sector:
      • ​​​​​​​The healthcare sector is one of the most tedious sector and hence, is given to the Department of Health & Human Service to focus on.
  14. Waste Management sector:
      • ​​​​​​​This sector also focuses on the waste materials generated from nuclear reactors, materials, and different industries. Managing waste products is also very important and hence, this sector is given to the Department of Homeland security.
  15. Water sector:
      • ​​​​​​​The water sector also comes under the Environment Protection Agency as water is an important part of the environment and the use of water must be regulated.
  16. Government sector:
      • ​​​​​​​The government sector comprises of the facilities that are being provided by the government and hence, it is designated to the Department of Homeland security and the General Services Administration.

Hence, these are the 16 critical infrastructure sectors on a priority basis.