Intentional EMI against critical infrastructures, a discussion on mitigation philosophy

The infrastructure consist of vast, highly distributed and interconnected networks that constitute the organs of modern society. They are widely spanning, widely connected and often not restricted to a single nation. The technical infrastructures, e.g., the power grid, railways, gas and water distribution, etc., all rely on sophisticated electronic systems. These electronic systems are, if unprotected, vulnerable to different forms of electromagnetic disturbances and, thus, to electromagnetic attacks, so called intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI). Due to inherent properties of technical infrastructures, compared to confined systems (e.g., a computer), several additional factors have to be considered when investigating the vulnerability towards IEMI.