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This paper describes a rapid response and risk mitigation system Istanbul Natural Gas Distribution Network Seismic Risk Reduction Project (IGRAS) for the Istanbul Natural Gas Network (IGDAŞ). Upon the trigger signal received from the earthquake early warning system in Istanbul, the real-time algorithm at IGRAS system district regulators checks the threshold levels of ground-motion parameters and interrupts the gas flow if any exceedance is detected. Then the system: (1) produces almost real-time earthquake hazard maps by using on-line strong-motion data from the strong-motion network in Istanbul: (2) estimates the distribution of damage to the natural gas network; and (3) transfers these damage distribution maps to stakeholders to enable dispatching rapid response teams to high damage areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical infrastructures are vital assets for public safety, economic welfare and/or national security of countries. Today, cyber systems are extensively used to control and monitor critical infrastructures. A considerable amount of the infrastructures are connected to the Internet over corporate networks. Therefore, cyber security is an important item for the national security agendas of several countries. The enforcement of security principles on the critical infrastructure operators through the regulations is a still-debated topic. There are several academic and governmental studies that analyze the possible regulatory approaches for the security of the critical infrastructures. Although most of them favor the market-oriented approaches, some argue the necessity of government interventions. This paper presents a three phased-research to identify the suitable regulatory approach for the critical infrastructures of Turkey. First of all, the data of the critical infrastructures of Turkey are qualitatively analyzed, by using grounded theory method, to extract the vulnerabilities associated with the critical infrastructures. Secondly, a Delphi survey is conducted with six experts to extract the required regulations to mitigate the vulnerabilities. Finally, a focus group interview is conducted with the employees of the critical infrastructures to specify the suitable regulatory approaches for the critical infrastructures of Turkey. The results of the research show that the critical infrastructure operators of Turkey, including privately held operators, are mainly in favor of regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]