Guarding Our Vital Systems: A Metric for Critical Infrastructure Cyber Resilience

Area of Science:

• Cybersecurity
• Infrastructure Resilience
• Risk Management

Background:

• Increasing cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure necessitate systematic resilience strategies.
• Existing approaches lack comprehensive, measurable frameworks for cyber resilience.
• The InfraGuard Cybersecurity Framework is proposed to address this gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate the InfraGuard Cybersecurity Framework as an implementable model for measuring cyber resilience maturity.
• To provide a multidimensional approach to assessing cyber resilience across key functional pillars.
• To offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and organizations to enhance cybersecurity.

Main Methods:

• The InfraGuard Cybersecurity Framework, a capability model with three pillars: Cyber as a Shield, Cyber as a Space, and Cyber as a Sword.
• Integration of standardized maturity models such as ISO/IEC 15504, NIST CSF, and COBIT for measurement.
• Application and illustration of the framework in exploratory settings including power grids, healthcare systems, and airports.

Main Results:

• Development of multidimensional resilience measurements with a scored capability scale (0-5).
• Domain-based classification enabling formal assessment and enhancement of cybersecurity.
• Demonstrated applicability across diverse critical infrastructure sectors with varying resilience maturity levels.

Conclusions:

• The InfraGuard Cybersecurity Framework provides a formalized, measurable, and understandable method for assessing and enhancing cyber resilience.
• The framework translates resilience attributes into concrete indicators, supporting policymaking and investment.
• It fosters global cyber defense collaboration by providing a common language and assessment tool for critical infrastructure protection.