What constitutes "critical infrastructure"?

Critical infrastructure refers to those essential systems and assets that are vital to the nation's security, economy, public health, and safety. This includes resources like power grids, water supply systems, transportation networks, and communication systems. The protection and resilience of these infrastructures are paramount because their failure or compromise can lead to severe consequences affecting a large portion of the population and the economy.

The emphasis on national security underscores the importance assigned to these assets, which are typically managed by both government and private sectors. Identifying and safeguarding critical infrastructure also involves implementing frameworks that enhance their resilience to various threats, including cyberattacks, natural disasters, and terrorism.

The other choices do not align with the definition of critical infrastructure. Minor services, for example, would not be categorized as critical due to their less significant impact on national operations. Similarly, commercial software applications, while they may support various functions, do not carry the same level of importance as critical infrastructure systems. Lastly, components solely used for IT services may be essential for a specific organization, but they do not encompass the broader and more impactful systems necessary for the functioning of society as a whole.