What is the critical national infrastructure?

The Government places a high value on ensuring that the UK is well protected against attacks by terrorists or other national security threats.

In the context of the UK's response to security threats our understanding of national infrastructure is focused around the concept of essential services. We view the national infrastructure as comprising those facilities, systems, sites and networks necessary for the delivery of the essential services upon which daily life in the UK depends and which ensure the country continues to function socially and economically. There are nine national infrastructure sectors which provide these essential services:

• Communications
• Emergency Services
• Energy
• Finance
• Food
• Government
• Health
• Transport
• Water

CPNI works with the operators of essential services and with lead government departments to identify critical national infrastructure within the nine sectors, and to help protect it against national security threats. Sufficient protection should be in place at all times.

Risk management

Putting systems and measures in place to safeguard the CNI will substantially reduce the risk of serious damage to the UK. However, there is no guarantee that every eventuality can be prevented or managed without any disruption, damage or loss of life. Some risks will remain. Assessing priorities carefully and with regard to the most likely and most harmful possibilities will offer the best value for the nation.