NCJ Number
193957
Journal
TR News Volume: 211 Dated: November/December 2000 Pages: 25-28
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the New Mexico Critical Infrastructure Assurance Council (NMCIAC).
Abstract
NMCIAC is a cooperative, private- and public-sector enterprise that exchanges information among the business community, industry, educational institutions, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the New Mexico State government. It joins Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure the protection of the critical infrastructure in New Mexico. NMCIAC addresses threats, vulnerabilities, countermeasures, and responses to infrastructure attacks, unauthorized system intrusions, and other actions that may affect member organizations and the general public. The organization also promotes physical and cyber protection by sharing and disseminating information about threats to critical systems. The organization was formed after the New Mexico Critical Infrastructure Protection Summit Meeting was held in August 1998. The State summit addressed the utility and adaptability of the national model to New Mexico’s needs. Meeting New Mexico’s needs for critical infrastructure protection required the resolution of several issues, such as establishing rapid communication of threats and attacks; encouraging private-public collaboration; identifying critical infrastructures; and determining local response and the role of the first responder. NMCIAC accomplishes its objectives through working groups of volunteer representatives from 36 member organizations from the private and public sectors. The working groups examine information and communications; transportation; utilities; banking and finance; and emergency management and government services. The New Mexico Engineering Research Institute conducts the management and operations of NMCIAC. Some early goals and principal tasks of NMCIAC are forming and operating an advanced, secure communication system; and developing and sharing a state-level model for critical infrastructure protection. NMCIAC is a volunteer organization with no reliable source of external funding, and therefore faces challenges in long-term commitment. This model can benefit other industry and State and local government entities interested in working together. 4 references