Critical internet infrastructure
Encyclopedia
Critical Internet infrastructure is a collective term for all hardware and software systems that constitute essential components in the operation of the Internet
.
Physical transmission lines of all types, such as wired, fiber optic and microwave links, along with routing equipment, the accompanying critical software services like the Domain Name System
(DNS), Email
, website hosting, authentication and authorization, storage systems, and database
servers are considered critical Internet components. If any of these systems and services were to be interrupted for a significant period of time "[t]he Internet...as we know it would collapse".
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
.
Physical transmission lines of all types, such as wired, fiber optic and microwave links, along with routing equipment, the accompanying critical software services like the Domain Name System
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
(DNS), Email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
, website hosting, authentication and authorization, storage systems, and database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
servers are considered critical Internet components. If any of these systems and services were to be interrupted for a significant period of time "[t]he Internet...as we know it would collapse".