A Hacker Says Smart Grid Can Be Penetrated

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/a-hacker-says-smart-grid-can-be-penetrated/

By NICOLE PERLROTH
Bits
The New York Times
JANUARY 17, 2013

A hacker wearing a fake beard and dark sunglasses took the stage at a computer 
security conference in Miami on Thursday and showed a group of about 60 
security researchers how to intercept the radio communications between Silver 
Spring Networks, a maker of smart grid technology, and its clients, which 
include major utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric and Pepco Holdings.

The hacker, who goes by the moniker Atlas, stopped short of showing how to 
inflict damage to these systems, but the implication of his presentation was 
clear: If you can understand the way these systems speak to one another, the 
potential to hack them is very real. And, the logic continues, if you can hack 
these systems, then you could tinker with an oil or gas pipeline, or cause a 
power failure.

“I see these placed everywhere that I want them to be as a hacker,” Atlas said 
of Silver Spring’s wireless communications. “I see the sales getting better. I 
see a Titanic running full speed towards an iceberg, with the potential for a 
rudder that might make the turn in time.”

Silver Spring Networks, which is based in Redwood City, Calif., makes the 
hardware and software that utilities use to connect electric meters in a 
digital grid. Atlas said he zeroed in on the company because he questioned 
Silver Spring’s security “buzzwords.” On its Web site, Silver Spring says it 
ensures that “only authorized personnel can access these devices,” provides 
encryption and claims to protect its data with hashing, or scrambling, 
functions.

[...]

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