A Wrench and a Screwdriver: Critical Infrastructure's Last, Best Lines of Defense? Critical infrastructure's cybersecurity problems are complex, deep-rooted, and daunting. Addressing them won't be easy...but it isn't impossible. For decades, security experts have warned that America's critical infrastructure is at risk for cyberattacks. Yet, despite seemingly endless conversations, ongoing debate and escalating concerns, modernization is slow and protections continue to lag. (image by niroworld, via Adobe Stock) When the Colonial Pipeline breach took place, it was as predictable as it was frightening. The ransomware attack shut down the pipeline for six days starting on May 7, and it led to a spike in oil prices along with shortages in some areas. But the next attack could be even more devastating: large swaths of the nation could be left without electricity or Internet access, water filtration systems could go offline, or natural gas deliveries could be disrupted during winter. Any of these could put lives at risk.