Report Warns Smart Grid Not as Smart as Some Hackers

Concerns about grid vulnerability to cyber attacks escalated, with authors of a study warning about hacking threats to the next generation power infrastructure. “These vulnerabilities could result in attacks to the smart grid platform, causing utilities to lose momentary system control of their Advanced Metering Infrastructure smart meter devices to third parties,” IOActive Research, a Seattle based provider of grid security devices, stated March 23. Company officials testified before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security in mid-March about smart grid security risks. The security firm recommends security being “baked into” the technologies in place of being added after the fact. “While not all the utilities are taking the security issues as seriously as they should, the ones that are the leaders in Smart Grid are taking security seriously,” said Fred Fletcher, Burbank Water and Power assistant general manager. “The security technology is there that can protect systems; provided that they are designed prudently.” Wireless automation and transport of information from the customer’s site to data banks frees up utility resources and is expected to curb energy use during times of peak demand. But, it also creates a potential pathway for cyber attacks that could wreak havoc on the system (Circuit, Feb. 16, 2008).

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Report Warns Smart Grid Not as Smart as Some Hackers

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