Cyber Holes in the Electrical Grid

We know that nothing is entirely safe from malicious hackers, but few things are as delicate and important as the electrical grid. A recent test by researchers at Cybereason revealed just how fast industrial control systems (ICS) can be compromised. The company set up a fake power transmission substation, known as a honeypot, and then lured would-be hackers. It only took two days before a hacker broke in, took control of the fake desktop environment and installed tools to control the system. While no legitimate systems were compromised, the exercise highlights the potential vulnerabilities of ICS and the importance of increased security measures. It’s a reminder for us that the types of cyber attacks that which took out Ukraine’s power grid could be used by hackers accessing critical infrastructure anywhere.