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Post by Peter on Nov 8, 2014 16:02:59 GMT 10
I have just read yet another article on the topic of hackers and power grids: heavy.com/tech/2014/11/blackenergy-russian-malware-could-compromise-power-grid/Even though I take everything from the media with a large pinch of salt, I must say that I personally believe that services failure caused by hackers is the second most likely threat we face in western civilisation. The most likely IMHO is economic collapse (whether by another factor such as grid failure, or by the result of its own devices), which I believe to be imminent. There's always a nutter with something to prove, a sociopath wanting to test his/her own genius, or governments wanting to harm a rival. I wasn't always this cynical (but then I worked in retail). Discuss  |
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Post by Joey on Nov 8, 2014 17:57:12 GMT 10
This is why major infrastructure like power, water, gas, sewerage etc should all be fully offline. Have no internet access to the facilities what sort ever. This is the only way to fully protect these things from cyber attack. Or if there is any computers on site that have internet access, they must not be connected to the system, they must be stand alone computers, that don't actually have anything to do with the running of the systems
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Nov 8, 2014 18:47:48 GMT 10
Good topic Mr Pete!
I am not a computer expert or anything, but my thoughts are; if its connected to internet then it can be messed with.
Agree with Joey, any service like power, gas etc should be fully offline.
Seen Die Hard 4?? Yes, its a dodgy action flick, but does raise some questions
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Post by pheniox17 on Nov 8, 2014 18:59:03 GMT 10
Its one of those things we watch for... But the resources needed to pull a hacking attack like that off that screws with the grid, and the safety systems, with this type of effect... Your talking outside the knowledge of the general nuisance computer hacker... (But saying that, if you see buttons you will randomly push till result..)
But a computer system going down (due to a hack attack) even in a power plant or grid scenario is a minor event, and quickly repaired ..
But if they have some knowlage of remotely triggering a cascading serge or a chain of massive power spikes that safty systems cant handle then your talking years to recover...
If it happens it happens, you tube american blackout and watch it...
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Post by Joey on Nov 8, 2014 19:43:36 GMT 10
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australia
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Post by australia on Nov 8, 2014 20:27:35 GMT 10
My brother works for "A capital city water department" , and when he is on call he "dials in" to the system when a alert page is received or a call from a work colleague after hours ,
I did watch him one time on the work provided laptop do his thing while a job page come in , interesting stuff playing fat controller ..........
On the subject of security protocols, it is huge , bank grade 256 bit encryption with VPN and passwords that management change daily (end to end encryption)That was 4 or so years ago so I am guessing it is stronger still now.
Power grids would be better from a guess .
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Post by Peter on Nov 8, 2014 20:54:02 GMT 10
Its one of those things we watch for... But the resources needed to pull a hacking attack like that off that screws with the grid, and the safety systems, with this type of effect... Your talking outside the knowledge of the general nuisance computer hacker... (But saying that, if you see buttons you will randomly push till result..) But a computer system going down (due to a hack attack) even in a power plant or grid scenario is a minor event, and quickly repaired .. But if they have some knowlage of remotely triggering a cascading serge or a chain of massive power spikes that safty systems cant handle then your talking years to recover... If it happens it happens, you tube american blackout and watch it... That's my concern - an organised, coordinated and simultaneous attacks on a number of grids. If every grid in Australia was taken down - in a way that caused damage - it could take weeks to get replacement parts from overseas. I do not need to explain what would happen to Australia in 2+ weeks without power. |
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Post by pheniox17 on Nov 9, 2014 9:06:05 GMT 10
The type of damage your talking, try years before its repaired
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