Ontology-based approach to disruption scenario generation for critical infrastructure systems

The systematic and complete identification of relevant disruption scenarios for critical infrastructure (CI) systems is still one of the major challenges to achieve a better resilience planning and engineering. The study aims to assist authorities and operators in this endeavour through creating a comprehensive and multi-dimensional all-hazards catalogue for CI. It is implemented by developing two ontologies: 1) CI systems ontology, covering energy, transport, water and telecommunications sectors, each being described through two sub-ontologies (physical and functional) interconnected within the service delivery process model; 2) hazards and threats ontology, comprising different typologies of events, their attributes, and possible effects to CI systems. The two ontologies are connected through vulnerability and (inter) dependency models. The main results achieved include: 1) a generalised and standardised specification framework for CIs and services; 2) a generalised and standardised all-hazards catalogue for CI; 3) an improved scenario generation process to support CI risk assessment.