Final answer:
Critical infrastructure refers to the essential systems and assets for societal function, while key assets are vital components within these systems. They differ in scope but are interrelated, as the resilience and protection of key assets contribute to the stability of the critical infrastructure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critical infrastructure refers to the fundamental systems and assets necessary for a society to function. These include sectors such as energy, transportation, water, telecommunications, and health care. Key assets are individual elements within these sectors that are essential for the operation and security of the critical infrastructure. For example, in the transportation sector, an airport may be considered a key asset.
The difference between critical infrastructure and key assets lies in their scope; critical infrastructure refers to the larger system or network, while key assets represent specific, vital components within this system. Despite this distinction, they are interrelated because the functionality and security of critical infrastructure depend on the resilience and protection of its key assets. Measures like implementing civil defense, emergency preparedness, and anti-terrorism legislation contribute to the resilience of critical infrastructure and the protection of key assets.
Ensuring the resilience of critical national infrastructure involves creating systems that are robust and can recover quickly from disruptions, whether from natural disasters, system failures, or malicious attacks. This resilience is supported by the individual strength and security of key assets.