Abstract:
This paper presents a computational model for the quantification of
critical infrastructure (CI) degree of dependency on ICT. Traditional CIs that
support modern society in providing uninterruptable vital services are
increasingly ICT dependent. To build the needed bulwark against cyber threats,
there is the need to assess their dependency on ICT since ICT infrastructure
comes with vulnerabilities that amplify cyber risk. Consequently, the proposed
computational model for the quantification of CI degree of dependency on ICT
is a function of ICT metrics and indicators based on mathematical constructs.
The outcome is ICT dependency index (IDI), and ICT dependency quadrant
(IDQ), which compare, rank, and visualise the IDI of sectors and organisations.
The findings show that no one sector can be chosen arbitrarily as the most
critical ICT dependent. The model is particularly useful for developing
countries to uniformly assess CI’s degree of dependency on ICT as opposed to
uninformed valuation.
