Critical Infrastructures: Background and Early Implementation of PDD-63
Abstract
The nation's health, wealth, and security rely on the supply and distribution of certain goods and services. The array of physical assets, processes and organizations across which these goods and services move are called critical infrastructures. Computers and communications, themselves critical infrastructures, are increasingly tying these infrastructures together. There is concern that this reliance on computers and computer networks makes the nation's critical infrastructures vulnerable to "cyber" attacks. In May 1998, President Clinton released Presidential Decision Directive No. 63. The Directive sets up groups within the federal government to develop and implement plans that would protect government-operated infrastructures and calls for a dialogue between government and the private sector to develop a National Infrastructure Assurance Plan that would protect the nation's critical infrastructures by the year 2003. PDD-63 identified 12 areas critical to the functioning of the country: information and communications; banking and finance; water supply; transportation; emergency law enforcement; emergency fire service; emergency medicine; electric power, oil, and gas supply and distribution; law enforcement and internal security; intelligence; foreign affairs; and national defense. The Directive assigned a lead agency to each sector to coordinate efforts at protecting the infrastructure upon which each of these areas depend. In its FY2001 budget, the Clinton Administration estimated that they requested $2.03 billion for activities related to critical infrastructure protection. While much of this funding is buried within ongoing operating and equipment accounts, making it difficult to track during the appropriations process, there were a few high visibility initiatives. PDD-63 and its implementation raise a number of issues. Among them is the ability and willingness of the private sector to cooperate with the federal government in sharing information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA478523
Entities
People
- John D. Moteff
Organizations
- Library of Congress