Posted on 01/26/2008 4:37:22 AM PST by Fennie
Computer hackers have managed to shut down power to entire cities by breaking into the systems of electricity companies and then demanding money, a senior CIA analyst has claimed.
Tom Donahue told a utilities security conference in New Orleans that all the successful hackings occurred outside America.
He did not specify what countries were affected, when the power cuts happened or how long they lasted.
Mr Donahue, who was speaking at the Process Control Security Summit, later said in a statement: "We have information, from multiple regions outside the United States, of cyber intrusions into utilities, followed by extortion demands."
He said the CIA suspected some of the cyber-attackers "had the benefit of inside knowledge."
He added: "In at least one case, the disruption caused a power outage affecting multiple cities. We do not know who executed these attacks or why, but all involved intrusions through the Internet."
A CIA spokesman declined to provide additional details, saying: "The information that could be shared in a public setting was shared. These comments were simply designed to highlight to the audience the challenges posed by potential cyber intrusions."
The Bush administration is increasingly worried about the little-understood risks from hackers to the specialised electronic equipment that operates power, water and chemical plants, known as Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. These are increasingly connected to the Internet.
Hackers first launched such a pattern of cyber attacks followed by subsequent blackmail attempts against the online gambling industry six or seven years ago...
Someone is practicing...
I would support the death penalty in these cases.
Calling Bruce Willis,,,
We are almost totally dependent on that thin umbilical cord that connects our homes to the power grid. Big storm, power down = no lights, no heat, no water. And scrambling for possible shortages of food at the grocery stores who only have one days stock on hand.
I have backup, somewhat, in that I have a wood stove (heat and cooking) and lamps (light). That still leaves me without running water...until I can afford a generator for standby.
Sixty years ago, the way we lived up on my grandparents farm, a power outage would not have affected us for some time. We supplied our own heat, had our well and a pump on the sink, lamps for light, cellars and cupboards full of food, butter and milk in the barn, eggs and chickens in the hen house.
Now I wouldn’t want to live quite that stringent today. I’m totally spoiled...gotta have my hot water tap and access to FR. But it’s comforting to have the heat/lights backup.
What backup system do todays cities have? Without power, we are dead in the water....We live on the edge more so today, perhaps, than at any other time in history.
I believe you are correct. Wonder what we are doing on our part?
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I've been thinking about this issue for some time, but keep putting off doing anything about it. This may be a good time. We have a well, and when the power if off, we have no water.
Of course, being without Free Republic is far worse. :)
Machiavelli firmly advised that when times were good to prepare for bad. It’s the only advice of his that Clinton ignored.
I fear that the shutdown of cities, if possible, will be partnered with another act and a terrible motive. Such a move would not be “for fun.” It will be for power or money.
That wasn't only lights...
It shutdown access to clean water, gasoline, and communication on most cell phones...
While acknowledging al Qaeda claims of responsibility, there was no proof of the group's involvement, it concluded.
I fear that the shutdown of cities, if possible, will be partnered with another act and a terrible motive. Such a move would not be “for fun.” It will be for power or money.
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It could happen. It would be best to have the ability to defend oneself as well.
....Central and South American countries including Mexico were the ones affected.
my neighborhood didnt even care (wayne,mi) everybody started up the tiki torch's the bbq grill and got out the beer...no power? no problem! lol
Electricity Trade With Canada and Mexico
Bad guys wouldn't necessarily have to hit us domestically to harm us.
Umm... I’m a utility company. I put the controls of my power facilities on the Internet...
Note to utility companies: Disconnect the controls of your power plants from the Internet.
Glad I could help.
Hackers Threaten Power Grid. FERC Strengthens Security Standards
This article makes a good case for having a diesel generator out back...
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