Guide for Mapping Types of Information and Information Systems to Security Categories, Volume 2: Appendices
APPENDIX D: IMPACT DETERMINATION FOR MISSION-BASED > D.7 Energy > D.7.1

D.7.1 Energy Supply Information Type Energy Supply involves all activities devoted to ensuring the availability of an adequate supply of energy for the United States and its citizens. Energy Supply includes the sale and transportation of commodity fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas, and radioactive materials. This function also includes distributing and transferring power, electric generation, and/or storage located near the point of use. Impacts to some information and information systems associated with energy supply may affect the security of critical infrastructures, particularly in the areas of energy transmission and transport. The following recommended provisional categorization of the energy supply information type is particularly subject to change where critical infrastructure elements or nuclear materials are involved: Security Category = {(confidentiality, Low37), (integrity, Moderate38), (availability, Moderate38)} The confidentiality impact level is the effect of unauthorized disclosure of energy supply information on the ability of responsible agencies to conduct activities related to the sale and transportation of commodity fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas, and radioactive materials. This function also includes distributing and transferring power, electric generation, and/or storage located near the point of use. Unauthorized modification or destruction of information affecting external communications (e.g., web pages, electronic mail) may adversely affect operations and/or public confidence in the agency, but the damage to the mission would usually be limited. Special Factors Affecting Confidentiality Impact Determination: The consequences of unauthorized disclosure of energy supply information can have a serious economic impact with respect to competitive advantages and financial and commodity market dynamics. Also, the unauthorized disclosure of supply information may assist terrorists in the theft of energy products or disruption of energy distribution channels. Facilitation of theft of nuclear materials is a particularly catastrophic potential result of unauthorized disclosure of specific types of energy supply information. In these cases, the confidentiality impact must be considered to be high. [Some information regarding transportation and storage of nuclear materials is classified. The classified information is national security related and is outside the scope of this guideline. Other information, such as Nuclear Regulatory Commission "SAFEGUARDS" information is not national security information, but must be treated as having high confidentiality impact.] 37 Risk level is usually high where safety of radioactive materials, highly flammable fuels, or major transmission channels or control processes is at risk. 38 Risk level is usually moderate or high where mission-critical procedures are involved. With respect to possible use by terrorists of energy distribution information regarding petroleum, natural gas, and other flammable or explosive products, a realistic impact assessment must include energy distribution information from private companies. This information is also susceptible to access by terrorists. Where distribution of hazardous energy products is involved, there is a potential unauthorized disclosure consequence of loss of human life and major property. In such cases the confidentiality impact level can be moderate or high. [Disclosure of transportation routes and storage facilities is often (i) both authorized and necessary to mission accomplishment and (ii) authorized, or even mandated, for public safety reasons.] Also, the unauthorized disclosure of one agency's energy supply information by another agency could result in negative impacts on cross-jurisdictional coordination within the energy distribution infrastructure and the general effectiveness of organizations tasked with energy supply. Recommended Confidentiality Impact Level: The provisional confidentiality impact level recommended for most energy supply information is low. The integrity impact level is based on the specific mission and the data and systems supporting that mission, not on the time required to detect the modification to or destruction of information or information system. The consequences of unauthorized modification to or destruction of energy supply information or information systems, usually depends on whether the information is mission-critical. Special Factors Affecting Integrity Impact Determination: Mission-critical systems: Unauthorized modification of mission-critical information or information systems (e.g., electrical power distribution, petroleum or gas pipelines) can result in severe impacts to the environment, service, major assets and/or human safety. Consequently, the integrity impact level associated with these types of mission-critical processes/systems may be high. Non mission-critical systems: For information or information systems that do not directly impact mission-critical functions, the integrity impact level may be downgraded to low. Recommended Integrity Impact Level: The provisional integrity impact level recommended for energy supply information is moderate. mission, not on the time required to re-establish access to energy supply information. Typically, disruption of access will have a limited adverse effect on agency operations (including mission, functions, or public confidence in the agency), agency assets, or individuals. Also, most energy supply information is not time-critical. Special Factors Affecting Availability Impact Determination: Mission-critical systems: Functions supported by mission-critical information or information systems (e.g., electrical power generation, transmission, and/or distribution; petroleum or gas pipelines) are often adversely impacted by lack of availability. Loss of availability of the information or information system can result in severe impacts to the environment, service, major assets and/or human safety. Consequently, the availability impact level associated with these types of mission-critical processes/systems may be high. Non mission-critical systems: For information or information systems that do not directly impact mission-critical functions, the availability impact level may be downgraded to low. Recommended Availability Impact Level: In The availability impact level recommended for most energy supply information is moderate.