Manhole security and U.S. critical infrastructure

to facilitate an explosion. The White Paper cites various studies of simulated attacks on urban infrastructure to make the point that such attacks may result in serious damage and many casualties.

The sheer number of manholes in the United States makes protection of all them a daunting task. The company suggests prioritizing manholes into four tiers, with Tier I comprising the most critical and high-risk manholes. In Tier I we find manholes for which the risk level is high and the consequences of attack severe. These manholes are found in strategic locations in urban centers, key infrastructure intersections, and near centers of business, industry, and government. Tier II consists of manholes for which the risk level is moderate to high, and the consequences of attack moderate to sever. These manholes are found near significant landmarks, transportation hubs, and locations of public gathering. Tier III comprises manholes for which the risk level is moderate to low and for which the consequences of attack are moderate to low. These manholes are found in suburban areas and in rural and agricultural regions. Tier IV consists of manholes for which the risk level is low and the consequences of attack are low as well. These manholes are found in rural and low-density areas, national parks, and the like.

The White Paper argues that the most practical, effective, and affordable solution to protecting critical underground infrastructure is to secure Tier I and Tier II manholes. We said earlier that there are a number of methods for securing manholes, among them intrusion detection, television surveillance, and hardening. These methods do not provide a satisfying answer to manhole vulnerability. Intrusion detection and television surveillance are detection mechanisms, not prevention devices. Hardening, or physically sealing the covers, is expensive and inefficient. It can take up to two hours to weld a manhole cover shut — and up to one hour to open the manhole if access is needed for maintenance and repair (after which, the cover has to be welded shut again). Moreover, if there is a need to enter a manhole in an emergency, the fact that it is welded shut makes easy and quick access impossible, prolonging outages or exacerbating the problem which brought about the need for emergency access in the first place. The company says that its MBD combines security with easy, quick access in time of need. It combines a physical barrier to unauthorized access with a coded key lock which allows those who know the code quick access.

The price of one MBD is $650, but the company offers volume discounts. The company boasts quite a few customers who have purchased and installed its manhole barrier device, among them municipalities, telecoms, cable TV operators, electric and gas companies, nuclear power plants, sewer and water systems operators, transit systems, airport and port authorities, military bases, college campuses, and industrial facilities.

The company proposes several measures which would improve manhole protection ��“ and thus, infrastructure protection — in the United States. Cynics may say that such proposals would serve the company’s own interests, but there is no necessary contradiction between doing good and doing well. We believe there is merit to these proposals, and DHS, Congress, and state and municipal governments would do well to consider them seriously:

1. Fashion new statutory requirements that Tier I and Tier II manholes be secured by both public and private sector entities. Require the owners and operators of manholes to assess vulnerabilities and identify Tier I and Tier II manholes.

2. Appropriate funds for urban centers and strategic locations to purchase and install manhole barrier devices for all Tier I and Tier II manholes.

3. Examine incentives such as tax and insurance credits for owners of manholes, including municipalities and corporations ��“ especially utilities and telecommunication companies — to purchase manhole barrier security devices, and direct DHS to include manhole security in best practices, policies, and procedures.

4. Support further study of manhole vulnerability and security issues by GAO, CRS, and other government research and evaluation bodies.

Pikus concludes his White Papers by saying: “Without manhole security, the United States risks suffering significant consequences resulting from an attack on underground infrastructure including incalculable economic damages, large numbers of civilian casualties, and considerable disruptions to our urban way of life.” He has a point. The lyrics in “For Want of A Nail” encourage children to apply logical progression to the consequences of their actions, and remind adults that inattention to small and seemingly unimportant things may lead to catastrophic results. It may not be as easy to come up with a rhyme for “For Want of Attention to Manhole Covers,” but the point MBSS is making is well taken: Inattention to small and seemingly unimportant things such as manholes and their security may have serious consequences.