Infrastructure Data Taxonomy

How is the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy Used?

The IDT Table of Contents serves as a quick reference of the taxonomy, in which infrastructure assets are categorized up to five levels. The first level is determined by broad infrastructure categories, which are then detailed further by increasingly granular differentiators as needed. The five levels of differentiation found within the IDT are the sector, sub-sector, segment, sub-segment, and asset type.

In describing a given infrastructure asset, the general convention is to use the greatest level of detail possible. If there is insufficient information to identify an asset at a greater level of detail, a less-detailed level may be used.

Some infrastructure assets fall into multiple categories of the taxonomy. For this reason, some concepts may be found listed within multiple sectors. This is called a cross-sector reference.

For example, in referring to the same nuclear power plant, the government and private sector could reference it either as a nuclear plant, a nuclear site, or a nuclear facility. The example below shows how this specific nuclear facility would be classified using the IDT:

• Sector: The nuclear plant is identified as being part of the Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector.
  • Subsector: Within the Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector, the nuclear plant is designated as part of the Nuclear Facility Subsector.
    • Segment: The nuclear plant is identified as part of the Nuclear Power Plant Segment to recognize the plant's purpose.
      • Subsegment: Finally, the nuclear plant can be categorized as being part of the Boiling Water Reactor Subsegment to recognize how the plant produces energy.

Contact

For any questions or feedback on the Infrastructure Data Taxonomy, please email IDT@cisa.dhs.gov