Essential digital technologies are critical infrastructure
What do the water system in Flint, Michigan, the electrical grid in Puerto Rico and your search engine have in common? They are all critical infrastructure, systems essential to everyday life. People expect critical infrastructure to be reliable, to minimise risk and to promote public well-being. When it fails, such as when lead seepage poisoned Flint’s water supply in 2014, or when nearly all of Puerto Rico’s power went out on New Year’s Eve in 2024, the public expects risks to be mitigated and problems to be addressed.