New digital technologies bring opportunities to improve our quality of life. However, these opportunities present new challenges for our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This research investigates the possible effects advances in computing technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and Quantum, and the increased interconnection and complexity of technological systems could have on our institutions in the UK and globally. We focus on cyber-research-related issues which are interesting and not immediately obvious.

Our study adopts a Delphi process to identify the future implications of changes in computing technologies on CNI. A total of 22 interviews have been conducted with experts from backgrounds including technology, academic, industrial and CNI. The interviews encouraged participants to think out of the box, and to consider less obvious trends and risks in future. The data collected was analysed using a Thematic Analysis method. In this, patterns (or themes) in the data are identified and analysed, in an iterative and incremental process. Underlying ideas and assumptions about the advancement of technologies are uncovered. A report based on the first round of data analysis was produced, which informed a second round of interviews to obtain further feedback.

This poster will present our preliminary results, which we expect to show a wide range of themes ranging from knowledge sustainability and resilience of systems, to psychological and sociological mindsets, playing a role in the success and protection of CNIs.