5668513 Washington DC Metro Rail System
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Chamberlain College of Nursing *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
MISC
Subject
Information Systems
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
6
Uploaded by DeaconMusicQuail4
1
Washington DC Metro Rail System
Student's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Instructors' Name
Due date
2
Washington DC Metro Rail System
The critical infrastructure I selected for analysis was the Washington DC Metro Rail
System. This infrastructure is categorized under the transportation sector. The Washington DC
Metro Rail System is vital in providing transportation services to hundreds of thousands
throughout Washington, DC. As one of the busiest rail systems in the United States and its
significance as a major form of transportation, this railway system requires Critical Infrastructure
Protection (CIP) efforts to safeguard it.
To assess the potential threats that could impact the Washington DC Metro Rail System,
it is essential to utilize a comprehensive approach that evaluates all possible threats. This
approach should analyze natural, man-made, and technological risks or potential hazards that
could impact critical infrastructure in both physical and digital sectors. The most effective threat
assessment tool to identify and assess potential threats and hazards to the Washington DC Metro
Rail System is the CARVER (Criticality, Accessibility, Recuperability, Vulnerability, Effect, and
Recognizability) matrix.
Criticality: Measures the significance of the critical infrastructure (Chauke & Mphadzha,
2022). The Metro Rail System is critical since it provides daily transportation services to
thousands of commuters. The rail system's high criticality makes it a high-value target for
terrorists.
Accessibility: Refers to the ability to physically access and retreat from the target. The
Metro Rail System is highly accessible, with several stations, all of which are accessible
to the public.
Recuperability: Refers to a system's ability to recover from an attack (Chauke &
Mphadzha, 2022). The recoverability of the Washington DC Metro Rail System is
3
average since upgrades and repairs may take weeks or months, potentially causing
significant disruptions in service.
Vulnerability: Refers to the possibility or ease of being attacked. The Metro Rail System
is vulnerable to physical threats such as natural disasters, criminal activities, terrorist
attacks, and accidents. The rail system is also vulnerable to cyber threats, including
cyber-attacks and hacking. If exploited, these vulnerabilities can impede the train's safety
and security, affect its daily operations, harm the public, and adversely impact its
communication systems.
Effect: The direct loss from an attack. An attack on the Washington DC Metro Rail
System would cause substantial human casualties due to the significantly high number of
passengers that use the system daily. Moreover, a terrorist or cyber-attack would also
disrupt services, leading to an adverse effect on the economy of the Washington, DC area.
Recognizability: Refers to the ease of identifying a target. As one of the major rail
systems in the United States, the Washington DC Metro Rail System is easily
recognizable. This factor makes it a high-profile target for potential attackers, such as
terrorists.
Based on the above assessment using the CARVER matrix, the main threats to the Washington
DC Metro Rail System include natural disasters, criminal activities, terrorist attacks, and
accidents.
The Washington DC Metro Rail System is at risk of being impacted by cybersecurity
threats, which could cause significant harm to the system's operations, passenger data, and
communication systems. Cyber threats may be in the form of malware attacks, hacking, and
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
4
ransomware, which disrupt train operations, causing significant financial losses, cancellations,
and delays.
Besides Washington DC Metro Rail System, it has other critical facilities and networks
supporting it that may also be vulnerable to threats or hazards. These facilities and networks
include passenger data, communications, power, and train control systems. Critical infrastructure
components such as tunnels and bridges are also vulnerable to threats and hazards (Argyroudis et
al., 2020).
It is essential to develop a resiliency plan to mitigate the threats to facilities and networks
regarding the Washington DC Metro Rail System. A resiliency plan helps establish mitigation
and recovery plans to reduce threats and hazards' likely impact on critical infrastructure. The
resiliency plan for the Washington DC Rail System includes the following components:
Strategic objectives and action items
Enhanced physical security: The rail system must comprehensively review all its facilities
and networks to identify and tackle vulnerabilities effectively. Enhancing physical
security may involve installing cameras, additional lighting, especially in the tunnels, and
a perimeter fence (Saadat et al., 2019).
Improved communication systems: The rail system should develop and implement an
emergency notification system to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed during a
crisis. The system should also upgrade its communication system to ensure coherent
communication at all levels.
Cybersecurity measures: The Washington DC Rail System must establish and implement
comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect the system against cyber threats. This
5
strategy includes regular security training for employees, network segmentation, and
advanced firewalls (Saadat et al., 2019).
Backup power sources: All critical facilities must have backup power sources to mitigate
the adverse effect of power outages caused by man-made or natural disasters. The plan
must include the current power sources, capacity, and maintenance program.
Training to strengthen readiness and response efforts:
Regular employee training: The Washington DC Rail System must ensure that all
employees are trained in emergency response procedures, including using emergency
equipment and the evacuation process in an emergency.
Regular drills: This helps to test the emergency response plan to test the emergency
response plans and identify areas for improvement. This process should involve various
stakeholders, including first responders and employees.
Necessary partnerships:
Collaboration with local emergency services: Includes the establishment of shared
response plans and regular joint training sessions. This approach will ensure a
coordinated response in case of a crisis.
Information sharing: The Washington DC Rail System must develop a system for sharing
information with emergency services and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a
coordinated response during an attack.
6
References
Argyroudis, S. A., Mitoulis, S. A., Hofer, L., Zanini, M. A., Tubaldi, E., & Frangopol, D. M.
(2020). Resilience assessment framework for critical infrastructure in a multi-hazard
environment: Case study on transport assets. Science of The Total Environment, 714,
136854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136854
Chauke, M. D., & Mphadzha, F. R. (2022). Framework for critical infrastructure security rating.
Saadat, Y., Ayyub, B. M., Zhang, Y., Zhang, D., & Huang, H. (2019). Resilience of Metrorail
networks: Quantification with Washington, DC as a case study. ASCE-ASME J Risk and
Uncert in Engrg Sys Part B Mech Engrg, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4044038
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help