Attacks on a nation’s infrastructure can have a devastating impact on businesses, citizens, and the economy. As societies become more and more reliant on technology, the need for reliable and secure infrastructure only becomes more critical. Unfortunately, maintaining security over vast amounts of physical infrastructure is not always easy. Keep reading to learn about critical infrastructure problems facing the world and Applied Research Associates’ solutions to keep physical infrastructure safe.

Power Grids

A successful attack on a power grid can have a ripple effect throughout the country. Because of the aging backbone that is the 23,417 electric generators and over 11,070 utility-scale electric power plants that make up the nation’s power grid, these types of attacks are not exclusive to a specific region or type of target, which means that any power grid among thousands could be the next victim of a physical attack. To prevent these attacks that threaten national power supplies, it is crucial to have robust and dynamic security measures in place.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each power grid faces its own unique set of challenges. Using technologies like advanced intrusion detection, security command and control systems, and rapidly deployable autonomous platforms, ARA helps protect power grids from human and vehicle-borne threats. These technologies are specifically designed to give security alerts at great distances to ensure threats never get close to assets. In addition to providing an alert, ARA security systems can integrate with a variety of sensors to help get eyes on the target.

Data Centers

What often appear as nondescript, uninteresting buildings, data centers are the ideal target for criminals seeking to disrupt a nation’s infrastructure. And plenty of targets they have with more than 8,000 data centers globally – more than 2,600 in the U.S. alone.

While data centers have extensive security infrastructure in place, it is likely limited to a small radius around the building. By the time cameras identify a threat and alert human security to neutralize it, it may be too late. An easy way to stay ahead of threats is to integrate Pathfinder with your existing system and/or with ARA’s mobile long-range sensor solutions.

An attack on a data center is likely premediated, meaning the building was surveilled, as is the case with most premeditated attacks. With a range up to 10 kilometers, Pathfinder sensors can alert security teams and/or other sensors to get pinpoint accuracy of the threat’s position. With Pathfinder’s near invisible wireless footprint, trespassers will have no idea how they were exposed.

Natural resources

Natural resource infrastructure is one of the most critical pieces of a country’s critical infrastructure. More than 2.6 million miles of pipeline deliver crude oil and natural gas in the U.S. alone. There are another 1.6 million miles of water pipelines providing drinking water and supporting industrial activities. Being so expansive and often remote, water and fossil fuel pipelines face enormous security challenges. Some of these challenges include:

• Attacks on water treatment plants and pumping stations
• Sabotage of pipelines and other critical infrastructure components
• Theft of natural resources and equipment

With local municipalities responsible for the bulk of maintaining and securing water infrastructure, affordable and user-friendly security technologies are key. ARA’s Pathfinder is a simple and effective way to create an alert system around known avenues of approach and less secure areas. This means protecting assets most vulnerable to a physical attack such as control stations or aboveground pipelines.

Pathfinder is also ideal for remote pipelines and infrastructure. With an effective range up to 10 kilometers, you can emplace the sensors far enough away from the asset to allow enough time to track and neutralize the threat before they ever get close. Looking to get eyes on the target? Integrate Pathfinder with existing optical sensors or incorporate ARA’s RAPID trailer to have a mobile sensor system that can give you real-time imaging of the target. Need to secure a different area? Simply tow the trailer to the new location.

Transportation Systems

One of the most important but often overlooked aspects of our infrastructure is transportation. The efficient movement of people and goods is essential to our economy and way of life. However, this system is also vulnerable to attack. Criminals could cause significant harm by disrupting transportation systems like busy bridges and interstate structures. Maintaining the security of our transportation systems is a daunting task. We must have robust security measures in place to protect this vital infrastructure against attacks like these, or the national travel of goods and people will halt.

Autonomous mobile platforms are a great way to protect transportation infrastructure as they can be easily relocated and can include as little or as many sensors as needed; an important aspect when there are budgetary constraints. Their presence can also serve as a physical deterrent for perpetrators. ARA’s RAPID system has the added benefit of being highly ruggedized and proven to withstand the toughest environmental conditions.

Bad actors seeking to disrupt infrastructure are not going away. As nation’s expand, more infrastructure will be needed to support human reliance on technology, natural resources, and transportation. Applied Research Associates has been a trusted security solution provider for the U.S. Department of Defense, commercial security companies, multi-national energy conglomerates, and foreign governments. We invite you to learn how we can support your security needs.