U.S. power companies under frequent cyberattack

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

https://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9239442/U.S._power_companies_under_frequent_cyberattack

By Jeremy Kirk
IDG News Service
May 21, 2013

A survey of U.S. utilities shows many are facing frequent cyberattacks 
that could threaten a highly interdependent power grid supplying more 
than 300 million people, according to a congressional report.

More than a dozen utilities said cyberattacks were daily or constant, 
according to the survey, commissioned by U.S. Democratic Representatives 
Edward J. Markey and Henry A. Waxman. The 35-page report on the survey, 
called "Electric Grid Vulnerability," was released on Tuesday.

The report is in response to widespread concerns that hackers could 
damage parts of the U.S. power grid, causing widespread outages and 
prolonged economic effects. Markey and Waxman are members of the U.S. 
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, which held a hearing on 
cyberthreats and security on Tuesday.

Power outages and quality disturbances cost the U.S. economy upwards of 
US$188 billion annually, with single outages costing as much as $10 
billion, the report said. Replacing large transformers, for example, can 
take more than 20 months.

[...]


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