Interdependency and Effects Analysis
Asset Dependencies shown in TACCS™
Impact and Effects Analysis “One of the most frequently identified shortfalls in knowledge related to enhancing critical infrastructure protection capabilities is the incomplete understanding of interdependencies between infrastructures.” [1]
Infrastructure assets and their associated interdependencies creates a highly non-linear and complex system, which as illustrated in the above quote, is inherently difficult for asset owners and decision-makers to fully comprehend. Coupled with primary and n-ary interdependencies, the resulting emergent behaviors especially during states of disruption as in emergency situations presents an even greater challenge in understanding (Figure 1).
TACCS™ brings together Impact and Effects Analysis tools and simulation extensions using a backend technology called UnitySM. The UnitySM system provides users the ability to project the potential impact of an event to not only the primary effect on infrastructure and system mission, but the subsequent chain of effects that may follow. UnitySM uses the award winning Critical Infrastructure Modeling System (CIMS) for interdependency simulation, which ties infrastructures together in mapping cascading effects. Along with the internal damage models and asset behavior models, TACCS™ simulates the multi-dimensional and complex interactions resulting from both natural and man-made events (Figure 2).
An event and the subsequent impact, both immediate and cascading shown with the Consequence Analysis tools