Overview

One of the shortcomings of risk analysis as applied to complex, network-oriented infrastructures is determining the consequences of the loss of individual facilities.  In a poorly designed network, loss of one or two key facilities can cause massive loss of mission effectiveness.  A well designed network may be able to absorb widespread damage before significant mission effectiveness is lost.  There is currently no methodology to measure the resilience such networks, be they telecommunications networks, electricity grids, oil or gas pipelines, roads, etc.  Without such a measure, it is difficult for industry to justify investments in infrastructure resilience without knowing the resulting benefit.