Forget hackers: Squirrels are a bigger threat to America's power grid

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://theweek.com/article/index/255510/forget-hackers-squirrels-are-a-bigger-threat-to-americas-power-grid

By Eugene K. Chow
The Week
January 28, 2014

While American lawmakers and security officials repeatedly warn of a 
catastrophic cyberattack that will cripple the nation's power grids, in 
reality, squirrels and tree branches are proving more troublesome than 
hackers when it comes to actual power outages.

According to numerous reports and headlines: America's power grid is "too 
vulnerable to cyberattack;" thousands will die if terrorists attack the 
grid; cyber attacks could keep America in the dark for nine to 18 months; 
and electric companies face "daily" cyber attacks, which over a month can 
build to 10,000.

With cyber security so abysmal, incentive so high, and attacks constant, 
why hasn't there been a massive hacker-triggered power failure yet? Simply 
put, because it's not that easy.

To be clear, attacks on the power grid would be disastrous and there are 
significant gaps that must be addressed — procedures improved, 
vulnerabilities patched, software updated — but even with these glaring 
weaknesses, an ordinary hacker wouldn't be able to take down the 
electrical grid. Turning America's lights off remotely is a complex 
operation that requires not only hacking expertise but an array of 
intelligence and analysis -- something only the most sophisticated 
terrorist organizations or nation states can muster.

[...]

--
Subscribe to InfoSec News
http://www.infosecnews.org/subscribe-to-infosec-news/