What is critical infrastructure?

Critical infrastructure refers to the systems and assets that are essential for the functioning of a society and economy. It encompasses facilities, services, and networks that are vital to a nation's security, economy, public health, and safety. This includes sectors such as transportation, energy, water supply, telecommunications, and emergency services. The protection of critical infrastructure is crucial because disruptions or damage to these systems can lead to significant consequences, affecting the well-being of citizens and the stability of the nation.

In contrast, non-essential services and municipal services, while important, do not hold the same level of significance as those systems identified as critical infrastructure. Military assets, while certainly important for national defense, are only a subset of the broader range of systems deemed vital to security and public welfare. Thus, the identification of critical infrastructure focuses on a wide array of essential societal functions, making the definition centered on systems that are vital to a nation's overall security and operational continuity.