A methodology for modeling and measuring interdependencies of information and communications systems used for public administration and eGovernment services

eGovernment services rely on information and communications critical infrastructures. The management of an information and communications critical infrastructure involves activities aimed at ensuring the availability, efficacy and efficiency of a given physical and human system and its related information technology facilities, networks and assets. This requires a deep understanding of the behavior of the complex system, which is, in general, a hard task. A promising approach is to create models of the complex system by analyzing its structural and functional characteristics, and proceed to identify the parameters for assessing and measuring the dependencies between the various components. This paper proposes a methodology for conducting a quantitative analysis of the underlying dependencies based on disturbances during fully operational conditions. Unlike other work in the field, the metrics used in the methodology do not rely on expert interviews or judgments. The utility of the proposed methodology is demonstrated through its application to the Italian System for Public Connectivity, a complex information and communications system that supports Italian eGovernment services. As a case study, the Italian System for Public Connectivity is an excellent exemplar of complex web-based systems that are used to provide public administration and other services in countries around the world. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.