Computers the control the power grid have been hacked

[tw]

Originally Posted by classicman

Excellent link Flint, thanks.

So read what is written:

am a retired engineer, formerly employed by 2 electric utilities ... So I (think) I know a little about SCADA systems and how they operate.

EVERY SCADA system that I have ever seen use its own dedicated communication network to carry data between the Master Station (the “base”), and the substation Remote Terminal Units (RTU’s) and with the powerplants. The Master Station is manned 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 52 weeks per year. In other words, ALL THE TIME. So if something happens, the knowledgeable, experienced operator can take immediate steps to counteract the event.

How can this be if enemies are lurkering everywhere as classicman says?

Reality: risks to the grid are typically traceable to companies with a history of bad management. One company that has long been a concern is First Energy whose president (Anthony Alexander) did not even know how the grid works. Who was even in Seaside Heights NJ blaming those local blackouts on the township - and then the lights went out again while he was speaking.

The real risk to the grid are companies that do not implement industry standard practices. Not some evil being hiding under every bed as wackoboy claims. And yes, wackoboy - I am doing exactly what you were doing for months. However my facts come from reality - not from Rush Limbaugh and his peers.

Originally Posted by tw

Reality: risks to the grid are typically traceable to companies with a history of bad management. One company that has long been a concern is First Energy whose president (Anthony Alexander) did not even know how the grid works. Who was even in Seaside Heights NJ blaming those local blackouts on the township - and then the lights went out again while he was speaking.

The real risk to the grid are companies that do not implement industry standard practices...

I think that pretty much sums it up.

IMO, the greatest failure of the last eight years in the area of national security was the near total lack of focus on securing the critical infrastructure - electric grid, water treatment facilities, nuclear plants, etc.

The failure resulted from a total reliance on voluntary compliance by the private industries in question...another failure of the free market that put profit above national security.

I would hope to see more federal spending and more mandatory infrastructure security requirements implemented.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by Redux

I think that pretty much sums it up.

IMO, the greatest failure of the last eight years in the area of national security was the near total lack of focus on securing the critical infrastructure - electric grid, water treatment facilities, nuclear plants, etc.

The failure resulted from a total reliance on voluntary compliance by the private industries in question...another failure of the free market that put profit above national security.

I would hope to see more federal spending and more mandatory infrastructure security requirements implemented.

I agree with you, but I really want them to have to do it on their dime, and not be able to pass that expense on to their customers.