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2007
Conference Paper
Titel
The key role of information systems for the security of critical infrastructures
Abstract
The improvement of European capabilities for securing critical infrastructures requires multidisciplinary research in several areas: sensor networks, data fusion, automated analyses of temporal and spatial changes, etc. The main objective is twofold: the increase of prevention capabilities (risk assessment, early detection of potential threats) and the improvement of response activities (response time, efficiency and efficacy of actions, avoidance of domino effects). This involves the acquisition, processing, storage, retrieval, fusion and communication of large amounts of information at different temporal and spatial scales, with challenges like covering wide areas with the maximum possible resolution, combining airborne and satellite data with terrestrial data or combining basic information (infrastructures, topography) with detailed and more rapidly changing information (temperature, motion). Such information is produced and owned by a wide range of organisations which need the necessary IT framework to achieve interoperability (successful exchange and use of information), while guaranteeing security and business requirements (i.e., ensure that the right information is delivered to the right person/institution for a specific use and for a given price). This paper describes the characteristics of such an IT framework, the specific research topics necessary to develop it as well as its embedding in strategic European initiatives and standardisation activities.