System and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the U.S. that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.
What is critical infrastructure?
The term Critical Infrastructure refers to systems and assets so vital that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, public health, safety, or related national functions. It gives election, security, legal, or technical readers a specific label for the concept rather than a broader everyday meaning.
How is critical infrastructure used in infrastructure security?
The term Critical Infrastructure is used according to its defined context: systems and assets so vital that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, public health, safety. The surrounding election procedure, policy, system specification, or legal source determines who applies it, when it is used, and what operational effect it has.
Why does critical infrastructure matter for election resilience?
Understanding Critical Infrastructure matters because the concept can affect election administration, voter participation, legal decisions, or resilience. In this context, it refers to systems and assets so vital that their incapacity or destruction would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, public health, safety.
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System and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the U.S. that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.
Cite this term
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Critical Infrastructure. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 21, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/critical-infrastructure
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