TThe RNSA has identified a range of future research collaboration opportunities in relation to CIP.

Understanding System Interdependencies

Electrical power networks, along with other energy systems such as gas, oil, fuel and the like, are vulnerable to physical attack on key components as well as potential cyber attack on management and control systems. Seemingly trivial problems in one system can cascade into catastrophic failures in others due to intricate system interdependencies. The nation's critical infrastructures have evolved rather than being deliberately engineered therefore innovative, cross-disciplinary research is required to understand the complexity of, and interdependencies among critical elements. The RNSA is able to draw on research strengths in modelling complex systems to investigate new techniques and tools for the analysis of network interdependencies and through this identification of critical system components.

Risk Assessment and Management

Risk assessment focusing on vulnerability identification can be leveraged to design more sophisticated threat identification, and modelling processes for power stations, distribution networks, transportation, and ports (air, sea, terminals) etc. This could then provide integrated and accurate ways of understanding the probability and impact of anticipated risks relating those from physical, personnel and information arenas. Such advanced risk assessment tools, coupled with tools that identify system components and their linkages, are needed to cope with any sophisticated attack on such an intricate and large-scale system as that of the national power grid.

Facility Hardening

The RNSA Collaborative Research Group for Facility Hardening currently conduct research applied to improving the security of facilities based on integrated cohesive and effective 'all hazards' approaches.

Counter Terrorism (CT)

The objective of the RNSA's Research Group for COUNTER TERRORISM (CT) is to develop tools that aid Australia's capacity to fight terrorism. This research combines tools developed in risk assessment, and appreciation method, seeking to identify facility loss and critical infrastructure loss. We also look at mitigation options. This is closely aligned with the FEMA 426 Standard.

Threat Detection and Response

New tools for improved 'early-warning' include awareness and rapid response schemes addressing emerging threats. Modern physical perimeter security systems rely on information technology based products and services such as electronically controlled doors, access control systems and closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance. RNSA's research can address improved surveillance and detection measures to detect hazards and analyse the nature and evolution of emerging threats from physical surroundings. In this regard, research on data mining will produce tools that can assist processing large volumes of security relevant information.

Communication and Control Systems Security

RNSA can develop research tools and methods such as cryptography and protocol design to devise practical protection mechanisms for control and management systems, e.g. the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) scheme for power network management and monitoring. Application of these tools can improve the security of control and management of the nation's power grid.

Governance and Regulatory Frameworks

Research is needed to assist operators of critical infrastructures to improve monitoring privacy guarantees, incident handling, emergency management, and response & recovery practices. Tools that can be developed include analysis of the practicality, cost and efficiency of the implementation of necessary security procedures. In line with the needs of Australia's TISN, research into knowledge management and information sharing can be used to build frameworks under which operators of power stations can be integrated into the relevant national CIP network where they may receive and contribute crucial knowledge.

Human Factors and Behavioural Issues

Effective security and protection measures must combine a social and behavioural dimension with technological solutions. In recognition of this fact, research expertise in human factors and behavioural science is promoted. Some examples of research opportunity include: human decision-making processes and their impact on control systems and interface design, behavioural response in emergencies, and modelling the cascade impact of a crisis event through a community. This type of modelling could prove highly beneficial in the development of emergency management systems.

Emergency Management

Personnel responsible for decision-making in post-incident evacuation, rescue and recovery activities can significantly benefit from research in expert decision support systems. For example the development of a framework for expert systems which can rapidly assess the damage to physical structures after an extreme event will aid rescue workers (e.g. fire fighters) and evacuees in rescue efforts and safe egress.