Article
Modeling and Simulation as Tools to Increase the Protection of
Critical Infrastructure and the Sustainability of the Provision of
Essential Needs of Citizens
Tomáš Loveˇcek * , Lenka Straková and Katarína Kampová
Citation: Loveˇcek, T.; Straková, L.;
Kampová, K. Modeling and
Simulation as Tools to Increase the
Protection of Critical Infrastructure
and the Sustainability of the
Provision of Essential Needs of
Citizens. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5898.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115898
Academic Editor: João Carlos de
Oliveira Matias
Received: 14 April 2021
Accepted: 19 May 2021
Published: 24 May 2021
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4.0/).
Faculty of Security Engineering, University of Zilina, Univerzitná 1, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia;
lenka.sivakova@fbi.uniza.sk (L.S.); katarina.kampova@fbi.uniza.sk (K.K.)
* Correspondence: tomas.lovecek@fbi.uniza.sk
Abstract:
States and their cities are at the forefront of efforts to address many of today’s transnational
security challenges. States cannot fulfill their basic functions, which include caring for the all-round
development of their territory and the needs of its inhabitants, without the existence of critical infras-
tructure, which can be damaged, destroyed, or disrupted by malicious behavior. The legislation of EU
authorities presents methods for improving the crisis management cycle within critical infrastructure
protection. However, these methods are not elaborated. Modeling and simulation using software
tools enable more accurate decision-making by security managers during the process of designing
and evaluating the physical protection systems of critical infrastructure. This article presents a new
software solution to the intrusion of unauthorized persons and its potential mathematical extension.
The main innovative benefit of this newly created software tool is the possibility of creating more
sophisticated attack scenarios using various 2D maps. Mathematical extension model response
scenarios are constructed for various types of intruders, allowing more accurate training of defend-
ers, which leads to more effective resource usage. This combination of software and mathematical
solutions should allow physical protection system designers to test various intrusion scenarios of
critical infrastructure elements.
Keywords: critical infrastructure; physical protection system; modeling; game theory
1. Introduction
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by world leaders at the
historic UN Summit in September 2015, and was officially enacted on 1 January 2016. Over
the next 15 years, countries have committed to achieving the 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). Goal number 11 is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable. Cities are also at the forefront of efforts to address many of
today’s transnational security challenges, as well as climate change, natural disasters,
and mass movements of people. Future cities need to be safe, sustainable, and resilient
to disasters [1].
States, cities, and their infrastructure are constantly exposed to the negative effects of
naturogenic and anthropogenic threats. The impact of climatic change is considered to be
the most significant naturogenic global threat. However, together with the global threats,
local threats also affect states, cities, and their critical infrastructure. Terrorism is considered
to be the most significant long-term local threat. The most considerable impacts in the case
of terrorist attacks are observed for critical infrastructure components. Ultimately, a local
terrorist attack through a cascading effect can result in a natural disaster or even a change
in climate (e.g., an attack on a nuclear facility).
States and cities would not be able to fulfill their basic functions, which include caring
for the all-round development of its territory and the needs of its inhabitants, without the
existence of critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure around the globe serves humans
Sustainability 2021, 13, 5898. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115898 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
