I work in the industry....the cyber attack vulnerability stuff is mostly hype, either by those who don't really understand how the system works, or those hyping it for their self-interest and/or personal profit. Virtually NOTHING is connected to the internet. There are ways to do some small things if someone has very specific information but their effects would be very limited. Just like when someone says it's possible to have 100% renewable energy...they don't know what they're talking about. All the hyped "cyber attacks" these claims are made for came from people on the inside with direct physical access to control systems...not internet hackers. The stuff on TV and in the movies where someone shuts down parts of the grid..."shutdown grid section 50," for example, is complete unadulterated nonsense.AndyC wrote:Lights Out by Ted Koppel:
My mom sent that to me, as she did 13 Hours (Benghazi) and others. Not hugely fascinating as it's mostly his interviews with various folks - gov't, power companies and a few prepper types, but our vulnerability to a cyber-attack on the grid is hammered home.In this New York Times bestselling investigation, Ted Koppel reveals that a major cyberattack on America’s power grid is not only possible but likely, that it would be devastating, and that the United States is shockingly unprepared.
Imagine a blackout lasting not days, but weeks or months. Tens of millions of people over several states are affected. For those without access to a generator, there is no running water, no sewage, no refrigeration or light. Food and medical supplies are dwindling. Devices we rely on have gone dark. Banks no longer function, looting is widespread, and law and order are being tested as never before.
Actual physical damage to equipment from attacks in the real world are a far bigger threat to the system but the system is so widespread and redundant that it would take many many attackers over a very large area to create any lasting outages. The possibility of a months long blackout over several states is near zero unless the attackers have an highly capable air force that can wreak widespread devastation. Furthermore, most of Texas in not connected to the rest of the country and runs it's own independent grid. During certain parts of the year many major parts of the system are out for maintenance and other activities and things run along just fine. I repeat, our control systems are not connected to the internet, and even if someone took over a control center....while causing a brief outage would be relatively easy, causing any lasting damage or a widespread outages that last for months is virtually impossible.
And btw, the only idiots actually trying to get the grid interfaced with the internet are either in government or work for companies that expect to profit from "smart grid" technology....and maybe some clueless power company executives who have no idea how the system actually works.