Critical Infrastructure

“Critical infrastructure” refers to the systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters. Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21): Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience defines 16 critical infrastructure sectors, described below.

Chemical Sector

This sector is comprised of four main segments: basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, agricultural chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. Click here for more information.

Communications Sector

This sector includes terrestrial, wireless, and satellite transmission systems. Click here for more information.

Dams Sector

Commercial Facilities Sector

This sector is comprised of eight subsectors, including: Entertainment and Media (e.g., motion picture studios, broadcast media), Gaming (e.g., casinos), lodging (e.g., hotels, motels, conference centers), Outdoor Events (e.g., theme and amusement parks, fairs, campgrounds, parades), Public Assembly (e.g., arenas, stadiums, aquariums, zoos, museums, convention centers), Real Estate (e.g., office and apartment buildings, condominiums, mixed use facilities, self-storage), Retail (e.g., retail centers and districts, shopping malls), and Sports Leagues (e.g., professional sports leagues and federations). Click here for more information.

Critical Manufacturing Sector

This sector is comprised of the following core industries: primary metal manufacturing, machine manufacturing, electrical equiment, appliance, and component manufacturing, and transportation equipment manufacturing. Click here for more information.

This sector provides services that include hydroelectric power generation, municipal and industrial water supplies, agricultural irrigation, sediment and flood control, river navigation for inland bulk shipping, industrial waste management, and recreation. Click here for more information.

Emergency Services Sector

This sector includes five discliplines: Law Enforcement, Fire and Emergency Services, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, and Public Works. Click here for more information.

Financial Services Sector

This sector includes depository institutions, providers of various investment products (broker-dealer, investment adviser, and investment company complexes), providers of risk transfer products, and other credit and financing organizations. Click here for more information.

Government Facilities Sector

This sector includes a wide array of buildings, located in the United States and overseas, that are owned or leased by federal, state, local, and tribal governments. The Education Facilities Subsector and National Monuments and Icons Subsector are grouped under this sector. Click here for more information.

Information Technology Sector

This sector includes the virtual and distributed functions that produce and provide hardware, software, and information technology systems and services, and - in collaboration with the Communications Sector - the Internet. Click here for more information.

Transportation Systems Sector

This sector includes seven key subsectors: aviation, highway and motor carrier infrastructure, maritime transportation systems, mass transit and passenger rail, pipeline systems, freight rail, and postal and shipping. Click here for more information.

Defense Industrial Base Sector

This sector includes the worldwide industrial complex that enables research and development, as well as design, production, delivery, and maintenance of military weapons systems, subsystems, and components or parts, to meet U.S. military requirements. Click here for more information.

Food and Agriculture Sector

This sector includes farms, restaurants, and food manufacturing, processing, and storage facilities. Click here for more information.

Healthcare and Public Health Sector

This sector includes hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers. Click here for more information.

Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector

This sector includes nuclear power plants; non-power nuclear reactors used for research, testing, and training; manufacturers of nuclear reactors or components; radioactive materials used primarily in medical, industrial, and academic settings; nuclear fuel cycle facilities; decommissioned nuclear power reactors; and transportation, storage, and disposal of nuclear and radioactive waste. Click here for more information.

Water and Wastewater Systems Sector

This sector includes public drinking water systems and wastewater treatment systems. Click here for more information.

Energy Sector

This sector includes electricity, oil, and natural gas assets. Over 80% of US energy infrastructure is operated by the private sector. Click here for more information.