Published in the June 2024 edition of The Journal of Civic Information, the article conducts policy-oriented research into the relevant government documents, plus theoretical research on the framing of geopolitical disputes and the transparency of regulatory actions.

This article argues that existing definitions of critical infrastructure are indistinct and tautological, while they perennially get mixed up with national security. The article concludes that a distinct American policy definition should be formulated at a government-wide level and observed by all relevant agencies, as has been achieved to a certain extent by the European Union, as opposed to the current  pattern of relying on myriad government agencies to announce vague and  unworkable definitions of the term.

Otherwise, the United States will be unable to effectively address threats to critical infrastructure, from malicious actors or from international market trends.