For any given site, vulnerability depends on many factors, some beyond the control of the utilities themselves, such as fuel supplies. Even within a single city, vulnerability may vary widely from site to site, so great caution should be exercised in interpreting these results. Sources: Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AND INFORMATION WEEK and The Gartner Group (last updated April 26, 2000).

Keywords

Interruption

Statistic

Probability

Duration

Electric Power

13.5%

Because of the complexity of its systems, is often the most vulnerable of the utilities. On a global basis, there is a 13 percent to 14 percent chance of interruptions in service.

Outages are expected to last only a few hours on average

Water and Natural Gas

3.50%

Water and natural gas delivery systems are not as likely to experience outages, with only a 3 percent to 4 percent probability of interruptions worldwide.

Outages in these utilities, especially for natural gas, could be longer due to system design characteristics. Outages of up to one week or longer are possible for natural gas systems, but with only a 5 percent or less of all interruptions reaching this length.

Telecommunications Systems

4%

Less than 4 percent probability of loss of service on a global basis

Outages are likely to be only a few hours.

Trucking

4%

The expected increase in shipment time when delays occur ranges from 14 percent for trucking

Rail

24%

The expected increase in shipment time when delays occur ranges from 17 percent for rail

Shipping

33%

The expected increase in shipment time when delays occur ranges from 29 percent for shipping.

Security Breach

Security Breach or Corporate Espionage

73%

73% of the population identified they had experienced security breaches or corporate espionage in the last year (1999).

Authorized Employees

58%

Unauthorized Employees

24%

Former Employees

13%

Hackers, Terrorist

13%

Competitors

3%

Application Error

40%

Operator Error

40%

Technology Failures

20%