Abstract

Increasing the safety and security of critical infrastructure in Europe is the overarching goal that underlies this work. It presents a Conceptual Model (CM) enabling a comprehensive and structured description of critical infrastructure systems as well as the derivation of Concept of Operations (CONOPS). Hereby, the CM is based on definition of system dimensions and system attributes that support the creation of a multi-perspective view on the system under consideration. Furthermore, it is illustrated how the combination of attributes helps to identify gaps within the security system. Beside the challenges to determine comprehensive, orthogonal, and adequately resolving system dimensions and attributes, it is emphasized that an iterative approach has to be conducted where dimensions are refined as security solutions are added. In this case, it is expected that convergence can be achieved in the sense that no new dimensions and finally attributes are needed to describe security solutions.