Communications Systems
Communications systems are critical to virtually every societal function a community provides, both big and small. Whether it’s calling Grandma, using the internet to do homework, or dispatching fire and EMS response, communications systems connect us and allow us to instantly transmit information. Beyond that, communication systems are needed to monitor, control, and manage nearly every aspect of infrastructure operations — without them, everything from providing clean water to managing the flow of electricity becomes much more difficult.
Communication infrastructure consists of both physical and cyber components that deliver voice, video, and data services. Communication infrastructure is comprised of the following interrelated systems:
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Communication networks are geographically widespread, creating a complex web that enables people and systems to contact one another, access information instantly, and communicate remotely. Communications systems are generally provided by the private sector and often have multiple operators.
Dependencies
Virtually all modern infrastructure systems are at least in part reliant on communications networks. The Communications sector provides critical services to:
- Energy systems to aid in monitoring and controlling the delivery of electricity and the management, monitoring, and control of fuel and gas pipelines and terminals.
- Transportation systems to monitor and control the flow of surface, sea, and air traffic.
- Water and wastewater systems, which use communications systems to monitor water quality, manage treatment processes, and control water distribution.
- Emergency Services for directing resources, coordinating response, operating public alert and warning systems, receiving emergency 911 calls, coordinating law enforcement activities, and managing dispatch and communications between utility crews.
- The Information Technology sector enabling delivery and distribution of applications and services.
- Financial Services for the transmission of transactions and operations of financial markets.
The Communications sector relies on services from the following critical infrastructure sectors:
- Energy to provide electricity to power cellular towers, central offices, and other critical communications facilities.
- Information Technology for critical control systems and services, physical architecture, and Internet infrastructure.
- Transportation systems for delivery of diesel fuel needed to power backup generators.