University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 5

ECTS credits : 2

Level : SCQF level 8

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: This module is not open to students matriculated on a University degree programme.

Planned timetable: N/A

This short course introduces participants to the basics of critical infrastructure protection (CIP) against a range of threats with a focus on human actors: while acts of ‘Mother Nature’ (such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes) can be predicted and planned for at least to some extent, the ingenuity of human actors seemingly knows no bounds – 9/11 still is a cautionary tale in this regard. The short consists of six units on topics such as the history of CI and KR protection; risk assessment and risk management plans; CI interdependencies; and CI protection versus CI resilience. From a UK perspective, Martyn’s Law will also be discussed, as this aims at enhancing the protection of public venues. It concludes with a look at threats of the foreseeable future, in particular concerning ‘cyberspace’ and ‘artificial intelligence’.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: N/A

Scheduled learning hours: 0

Guided independent study hours: 51

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Coursework = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr F P Lehr
Module teaching staff: Dr Peter Lehr
Module coordinator email pl17@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Explain what is critical infrastructure and why it needs to be protected
• Assess the main threats to critical infrastructure, the main actors posing this threat, whether that is non-state, state actors, or ‘Mother Nature’
• Demonstrate the strength and limits of an all hazards approach, and a human actor approach.
• Describe the steps of a typical critical infrastructure risk assessment cycle
• Critically reflect on whether is it better to focus on protection or on resilience
• Explain what are critical infrastructure interdependencies, and why they pose a problem for critical infrastructure protection