Delta Scientific’s Role in National Infrastructure Security

In the last couple of years, there have been significant online attacks against critical infrastructure in the United States that have led to shortages, price hikes, and other disruptions of everyday life. If bad actors were to launch a physical attack against infrastructure, it could be even more devastating. Delta Scientific offers a range of security products that can protect critical infrastructure facilities.

What Is Infrastructure?

Many people misunderstand what infrastructure is, and it is easy to see why. Even the dictionary acknowledges that the definition of infrastructure can be vague and confusing. The word literally means “underlying structure,” or the structure beneath the structure. A more useful definition is the basic physical systems that an organization needs to function. The national infrastructure includes the following:

• Electric systems, including nuclear power plants
• Transportation systems, e.g., roads, railways, airports, etc.
• Water and sewage systems
• Communication networks

What Are the Possible Results of a Physical Attack Against Infrastructure?

A physical attack against critical infrastructure could prevent people from accessing goods or services and potentially put them in harm’s way. For example, an attack against utilities or public works could leave people without access to electricity or fresh water. Disabling transportation systems could prevent people from evacuating, leaving them stranded in a dangerous situation. A failure of communication networks because of a deliberate attack could leave people unable to call for emergency help or get in touch with family members to find out whether they were all right.

A physical attack against infrastructure could also cause injury directly. For example, people who worked at a communication company could be killed if a vehicle carrying explosives was crashed into it and detonated. The effects may extend beyond the facility itself. For instance, flooding could result if a dam was intentionally damaged or destroyed, and an explosion at a nuclear power plant could expose people over a wide radius to radioactive material.

There is not much chance that nuclear material taken from power plants could be used to make bombs because it would have to be highly enriched to be useful in that regard. The time and expense required for enrichment could be a deterrent, but it is not beyond the realm of possibility that if bad actors were to obtain nuclear material they could use it in this way.

How Can Delta Scientific Products Help Secure National Infrastructure?

Delta Scientific barriers and barricades can be deployed to stop vehicle attacks and prevent access to sensitive facilities by unauthorized personnel. Our strongest barriers can stop a 15,000-pound truck traveling up to 50 miles per hour. This is especially important when the goods produced or housed at a particular facility are not only critical but also potentially volatile.

In fact, we are already playing a role in securing national infrastructure. A majority of U.S. nuclear facilities use our barriers as defensive measures, as do municipal electric companies nationwide. Departments of Water and Power use Delta Scientific products to screen all vehicles entering their facilities despite their massive populations. Major oil refineries also rely on Delta Scientific to regulate access to their facilities.

Sources: 

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infrastructure

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/infrastructure.asp

https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/weapon-materials-basics

https://www.nec.com/en/global/techrep/journal/g17/n02/170204.html

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