Undoubtedly, we are at the starting point of a vast infrastructure replacement and development. The recent article of German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz, “Germany, Once a Beacon of Frugality, Jolts Europe With Planned Spending Splurge,” published in “The Wall Street Journal,” describes Germany’s infrastructures and administration situation. 

Infrastructure challenges like those facing Germany are common across even the most developed countries. Railway system  “unreliable,” Mobile networks “patchy,” Power grid “aging,” Public administration “stuck in the paper age.”

Relating to those sectors,  many of the priority projects are tightly coupled with digital, electronic, and software-based activities—just a few examples. 

The Energy Grid: Expansion and reinforcement of power transmission lines to accommodate renewable energy, Smart grid technologies,  Energy storage solutions to balance intermittent renewable generation, and Modernization of regional distribution networks. 

Railway System: Modernization of signaling systems and tracks, expansion of high-speed rail networks, electrification of remaining diesel routes, renovation of aging stations and logistics hubs, and digital train control systems to increase capacity on existing tracks. 

Digital Infrastructure (Network): Nationwide fiber-optic network expansion, 5G/6G mobile network coverage in rural areas, Edge computing infrastructure for emerging technologies, and Digital hubs in mid-sized cities to promote tech development outside major centers. 

Public Administration Digitalization: Comprehensive e-government platforms for citizen services,  Modernization of IT systems across federal, state, and local governments, Digital identity and authentication systems, Data centers and cloud infrastructure for government operations,  Training programs for public sector digital transformation.

Undoubtedly, those extensive investments, accelerated upgrading, replacement, and digitalization in the sectors mentioned, as well as additional ones such as water, transportation, emergency services, and more, will generate a considerable increase in the attack surface, cyber and physical. On the other hand, it is a huge opportunity to implement lessons learned and correct mistakes even from the very near past.

Security and resilience by design – The planning process and tools ( please visit GINOM®) should consider the dependencies hidden in many of today’s planning, training, and crisis management methodologies. In other words, “Don’t just look under the lamppost.”.

Expect the Unexpected: The planning and implementation process should review and analyze all the possible disaster scenarios relating first to the meaning and cost of results of their realization before talking about the probability of their occurrence.

All the upgraded systems and infrastructures must be EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) resilient by design. For a marginal investment relative to the cost of systems and infrastructures and the level of damage of not surviving an EMP attack, it is possible to be immune to one of the most significant and absolute threats to the modern world. (Please visit EIS Council.)

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By: Yosi Shneck