What is the primary objective of critical infrastructure protection?

The primary objective of critical infrastructure protection is to safeguard essential services and systems that are vital to national security and economic health. This concept encompasses the security and resilience of facilities, networks, and assets that are crucial for the functioning of society, including power, water, transportation, telecommunications, and healthcare systems.

Ensuring the security of these infrastructures is essential because their disruption can have far-reaching consequences, not only affecting individual services but also impacting the economy, public health, and overall national security. Protection efforts focus on identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating risks, and implementing strategies aimed at preventing, preparing for, and responding to incidents that could compromise these critical systems.

The other options do not align with the core focus of critical infrastructure protection. Improving financial performance of businesses may be an indirect result, while creating new technology and promoting global trade, while important, do not directly pertain to safeguarding essential services necessary for maintaining a stable and secure society.