Global Infrastructure Observatory

Overview: Contributing to the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory

As a recent graduate of a Cybersecurity Critical Infrastructure Protection program, I'm deeply invested in understanding and enhancing the resilience of our globally interconnected critical infrastructure. My ongoing Master's and Ph.D. research is significantly informed by the vision of the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory (GIO). This initiative resonates profoundly with my academic and professional aspirations, offering a framework for the very kind of comprehensive analysis I aim to contribute to.

My Perspective on the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory:

The concept of the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory (GIO), aiming to aggregate and provide credible, real-time data on technological, cyber, and industry trends related to critical infrastructure, is both innovative and essential. By sourcing data from diverse global regions – including US North, US South, UK, Africa North, Africa South, Europe, Asia North, Asia South, Australia, Canada, Middle East, and Korea – the GIO promises to build a holistic understanding of the complex landscape of critical infrastructure. This comprehensive data aggregation is crucial for empowering a global community of stakeholders with valuable insights.

Expanding the Scope: Geopolitics, Global Supply Chains, Governance, and Policies within the GIO Framework:

My research, aligned with the goals of the GIO, recognizes that the resilience of critical infrastructure is not solely a technical challenge. It is deeply intertwined with geopolitics, the intricacies of global supply chains, and the evolving landscape of global critical infrastructure governance and policies, all of which the GIO aims to address.

Geopolitics: Geopolitical tensions and strategic rivalries can significantly impact critical infrastructure through targeted cyberattacks, disruptions to supply chains, and the weaponization of essential services. The GIO's ability to monitor and analyze geopolitical trends impacting infrastructure security will be invaluable. My research will explore how geopolitical factors influence threat actors, attack motivations, and the overall risk posture of critical infrastructure sectors globally, contributing to the GIO's analytical capabilities.
Global Supply Chains: Critical infrastructure relies on complex and often geographically dispersed global supply chains for components, software, and services. Disruptions to these supply chains, whether due to geopolitical events, natural disasters, or economic instability, can have cascading effects on infrastructure operations. The GIO's focus on tracking industry trends and key actors within these supply chains is vital. My research will delve into identifying vulnerabilities within these global supply chains and proposing strategies for enhanced resilience and diversification, directly informing the GIO's data and analysis efforts.
Global Critical Infrastructure Governance and Policies: The governance and regulatory landscape for critical infrastructure varies significantly across nations. Understanding these differences, identifying best practices, and promoting international cooperation are crucial for enhancing global resilience. The GIO's aim to examine the roles and influence of various stakeholders in regulating and creating policies is directly relevant to my research. I intend to analyze the effectiveness of different governance models and policy frameworks in addressing cybersecurity risks and promoting infrastructure resilience on a global scale, contributing to the GIO's understanding of this complex domain.

My Contribution and Vision for the GIO:

Through my Master's and Ph.D. research, I aim to contribute to the success of the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory by:

Developing frameworks for analyzing the interplay between geopolitics and critical infrastructure cybersecurity, directly feeding into the GIO's analytical outputs.
Investigating methods for assessing and mitigating risks within global critical infrastructure supply chains, providing valuable data and insights for the GIO platform.
Comparing and contrasting international governance and policy approaches to critical infrastructure protection, identifying potential areas for harmonization and improvement, thus enriching the GIO's knowledge base.
Exploring the role of data analytics and threat intelligence in providing the "real-time" insights that are central to the GIO's mission.

The establishment of the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory represents a crucial step towards a more secure and resilient global future. By aggregating and analyzing critical data on technological, cyber, and industry trends, the GIO will empower stakeholders worldwide to make informed decisions and collaborate effectively. My research is driven by the ambition to contribute meaningfully to this vital initiative, helping to build a more secure and interconnected world through the lens of the Global Critical Infrastructure Observatory.