IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY
Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex
The Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex (CITRC) is a national, comprehensive program that researches, develops, and tests technologies, systems, and policies to protect the nation's infrastructure. CITRC is comprised of the sites formerly occupied by the Auxiliary (originally Army) Reactor Area (ARA) and the Power Burst Facility (PBF), later part of the Waste Reduction Operations Complex (WROC). The remainder of INL land not occupied by facilities is designated part of the site-wide critical infrastructure test range (CITR), and serves a real-world natural laboratory.
CITR has industrial-scale infrastructure components, including an isolatable full-scale electric power grid with a 61-mile transmission loop, seven independent substations, and a control room for conducting comprehensive interoperability, vulnerability and risk assessments. Work is being done on developing transmission line sensors that can detect line tampering and alert operators to potential security breaches.
INL also has modeling and simulation capabilities, such as the Critical Infrastructure Modeling Simulation (CIMS) and the Critical Infrastructure Protection and Resilience Simulator (CIPRSim). In 2007 INL procured the only Real Time Digital Simulator certified for government applications in the country. The device facilitates consequence analysis of power grid interdependence.
The DOE National Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Test Bed (NSTB) was designed to protect the control systems that produce and distribute power, including the electricity, oil, and gas industries, from physical and cyber attacks. (Test beds are full- or near full-scale, functioning models that allow more realistic testing of control systems than computer simulations.) It is a multi-laboratory program that conducts control systems testing, research, and development; advanced technology development; control systems requirements development; and industry outreach. INL manages the NSTB jointly with Sandia National Laboratories. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are also involved.
INL's Power Grid Test Bed is linked with SCADA and has communications and testing capabilities. Sections can be isolated to test technology, systems, and processes.
INL also has a Cyber Security Test Bed with firewalls, intrusion detection systems, hybrid systems and encryption links for unclassified and classified network operating centers as well as geographically distributed high-speed networks. It can replicate control systems specifications allowing for individualized, customized intrusion detection system, vulnerability assessment, and exploit and mitigation development. It also has Virtual Private Network connectivity.
INL also has a Contraband Detection Test Bed (Building PER-622). Within the Contraband Detection Test Beds are the Explosive Detection Test Bed, the Active Interrogation Research and Test Facilities, and the Biotechnology Center.
The Explosive Detection Test Bed, which is part of the Contraband Detection, conducts research on both trace explosive detection systems for federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Administration. It also tests bulk explosive detection systems. It developed the Idaho Explosives Detection System (IEDS), which was shipped to Ohio's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in November 2006 to be tested, for the inspection of cargo trucks.
The Active Interrogation Research and Test Facilities are used in the development of systems to detect WMDs, including nuclear material, chemicals, and explosives. The facilities are capable of digital radiography and neutron-based non-destructive assay. A cargo container inspection mockup is also on site. In addition, Idaho State University's 10 accelerators at the Idaho Accelerator Center are used in research.
The Biotechnology Center is used in research on the real-time detection of pathogens. Work at the facility has supported surveillance for spores of Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax. Human antibody profiling for forensics was developed at the center.
Another INL test bed is the Incident Response Technology and Training Test Bed (Building PER-609). The Incident Response Training and Exercise Center is equipped for radiological training for WMD incident response field exercise. It is representative of the country's transportation, power distribution, transportation, and communication infrastructure. The center is supported by an onsite fire department, hazmat emergency response, and medical facility.
The Wireless Test Bed is part of the larger Telecommunications Test Bed, which allows testing of 2G/4G cellular, land mobile radios, wireless local area network and microwave, free space optics, and satellite systems. Its lab has been authorized to function as an experimental radio station by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Wireless Test Bed allows for the testing of 2-way radio systems, cell phones and hard-wired systems, intranet systems, intrusion detection, and firewalls.
The Live Fire Test Range, which is located on 330 acres of desert terrain, consists of eight indoor and outdoor ranges and tactical training factories. One of the Physical Security Test Beds, it provides for the testing of handguns, rifles and heavy weapons, such as machine guns, precision rifles, grenade launchers and shoulder-fired, anti-armor weapons. The Range also allows for explosive training and testing, including breaching.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) program, which is one of the Physical Security Test Beds, includes hand-launched systems, rotorcraft, and larger craft, which weigh about 55 pounds and can carry a load of up to 20 pounds.
Other INL test beds at the CITRC and throughout the CITR include:
- Range Support Facility (Building PER-623)
- Range Field Office (Building PER-641)
- Special Programs Facility (Building PER-612)
- Science and Technology Research Facility (Building PER-613)
- Control System Security and Test Center (Idaho Falls)
CITR also manages the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Cyber Security Division's Control System Security Program (CSSP). The purpose of the program is to reduce the risk to control systems of nation's infrastructure and key resources. It is an effort to coordinate among local, state, and federal governments and private industry.
NEWSLETTER
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|