Electricity Grid in U.S. Penetrated by Spies

http://online.wsj.com/ ^ | APRIL 8, 2009 | SIOBHAN GORMAN

[ebiskit]

WASHINGTON -- Cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to current and former national-security officials.

The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, these officials said, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, but officials warned they could try during a crisis or war.

"The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid," said a senior intelligence official. "So have the Russians."

The espionage appeared pervasive across the U.S. and doesn't target a particular company or region, said a former Department of Homeland Security official. "There are intrusions, and they are growing," the former official said, referring to electrical systems. "There were a lot last year." Discuss

* How worried are you that a cyberattack could damage U.S. infrastructure?

Many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by U.S. intelligence agencies, officials said. Intelligence officials worry about cyber attackers taking control of electrical facilities, a nuclear power plant or financial networks via the Internet.

[ebiskit]

While Barry cuts defense and gives ACORN billions.

[kc8ukw]

I know people on Free Republic tend to be rather skeptical about solar power and the like, but this would be a big reason to switch to it. Decentralize the electricity system as much as you can, and it is much less vulnerable to disruption.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Is there some way the 4 or 5 or maybe more threads by now on this subject can be consolidated?

[teenyelliott]

From the article:

Last week, Senate Democrats introduced a proposal that would require all critical infrastructure companies to meet new cybersecurity standards and grant the president emergency powers over control of the grid systems and other infrastructure.