Nuclear power station security to be increased after hacking bid

[InfoSec News <isn () C4I ORG>]

http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_166187.html

Last updated: 01:07 Tuesday 9th January 2001


Security is to be stepped up at Britain's nuclear power stations after
a guard attempted to hack into one site's computer system.

The security guard tried to alter sensitive information contained on
computers at the unnamed complex, triggering a high-level alert.

It emerged that the patrolman had never been vetted and he had two
undisclosed criminal convictions, according to The Guardian.

The scare is believed to have taken place at the Bradwell magnox
reactor in Essex.

The Department of Trade and Industry plans to bring in rigorous
security checks for all new and existing staff as a result.

A DTI spokesman confirmed that security had been revised in response
to an incident but refused to divulge details.

"There has been an incident which did not cause a breach in security,"
the spokesman said.

"It caused a review of security and in light of that review a revised
procedure is to be introduced in March."

The Guardian claims to have obtained copies of leaked DTI memos
written by Peter Hatton, head of security in the Government's office
for civil nuclear security.

In the memos Mr Hatton describes the incident, which occurred in June
1999, as the "deliberate action of a member of the site security
force".

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