Network Resilience to Cascading Failure

Criticality Sciences, Inc. proposes to test the feasibility of a novel process embodied in NetResilience™ software, for estimating risk (expected loss) and resilience (e.g. recovery time and cost), and proposing mitigation (including during recovery) associated with cascading failure in an infrastructure network. The process will be applied to the interconnected water utility sector with a utility partner (commitment letters provided) in a single metropolitan area, implementing the design, prototyping, and validation of an analysis product that is useful to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure systems exhibiting dependency. NetResilience™ will be used in consulting with an anticipated progression to multiple forms of software licensing. Technical risks center on the availability and accuracy of input data on vulnerability, consequence, and cost of mitigation. Phase I research will prove feasibility by testing three successive levels (in three technical objectives) of network data collection and resilience investment cost-benefit analysis for an interconnected water and power utility in a single metropolitan area. Risks will be mitigated with facilitation through advisors and supporters committed to this project as well as the direct utility partnership. Results will be publicly shared, subject to confidentiality requirements imposed by our critical infrastructure utility partner and regulatory and contractual constraints.