Report: Smart-grid Hackers Could Cause Blackouts

Deployments of smart grids should be slowed until security vulnerabilities are addressed, according to some cybersecurity experts, citing tests showing that a hacker can cause a major blackout after breaking into a smart-grid system.

The idea behind smart grids, a burgeoning energy sector in which even Google is playing a role, is that automated meters and two-way power consumption data can be used to improve the efficiency and reliability of an electrical system’s power distribution. A washing machine in a household hooked up to a smart meter, for instance, could be set up to run only at lower-cost, off-peak hours, and a home sporting solar panels could give power back to the grid.

Through the U.S. economic-stimulus package, the Department of Energy is set to invest $4.5 billion in smart-grid technology. And while many utilities are embracing the initiative by installing smart meters in millions of homes nationwide, security experts and others caution that the technology may not be ready for prime time. According to a CNN report published Friday evening:

Cybersecurity experts said some types of meters can be hacked, as can other points in the smart grid’s communications systems. IOActive, a professional security services firm, determined that an attacker with $500 of equipment and materials, and a background in electronics and software engineering, could “take command and control of the (advanced meter infrastructure), allowing for the en masse manipulation of service to homes and businesses.”

Experts said that once in the system, a hacker could gain control of thousands, even millions, of meters and shut them off simultaneously. A hacker also might be able to dramatically increase or decrease the demand for power, disrupting the load balance on the local power grid and causing a blackout. These experts said such a localized power outage would cascade to other parts of the grid, expanding the blackout. No one knows how big it could get.

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FBI Raids University of Floridas Nuclear Power Institute

The nuclear space power institute at the University of Florida has been raided by the FBI.

Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Rhew in Tallahassee said search warrants were served at the university’s Innovative Nuclear Space Power and Propulsion Institute.

Rhew would not comment on the target of the investigation, but University of Florida spokesman Steve Orlando said the FBI was in the office of professor Samim Anghaie, the Iranian-born director of the institute.

Rhew would not comment on the investigation but did say no arrest warrants have been issued.

Court documents filed by the United States Attorney in Tallahassee describe a criminal and civil investigation into “fraudulent” invoices that resulted in funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to Professor Samim Anghaie, 59, his wife, Sousan, 54, and their two adult sons.

Federal officials would not talk about the details of their investigation, which UF reacted to by placing Anghaie on leave with pay. He could not be reached for comment.

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Note:  There is no indication that this story has any ties to terrorism or terror activities.  We  post it as a story of interest to our readers.

Kuwaiti Professor Fantasizes Of Biological Attack On US

In this speech Kuwaiti Professor Abdallah Nafisi openly speaks of how he fantasizes of a biological attack at the White House and prays for the bombing of a nuclear plant on Lake Michigan. Perhaps even more disturbing is the laughter his speech draws from the audience.

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Bomb Threats At Power Plant Brings In The FBI

A rash of bomb threats have been directed at Appalachian Power’s John Amos Power Plant, the company said.

The latest threat was made Monday, said Joe Haynes, the plant’s community relations manager.

“Every time it happens we stop work, we evacuate and search the area,” he said.

That’s a big, expensive undertaking: There are about 3,000 workers on site during the day shift. Most are installing a scrubber on Unit 3, the largest of the plant’s three power-generating units. A smaller shift works nights.

Appalachian Power is an operating unit of American Electric Power.

Sgt. K.S. Dickson, commander of the State Police’s Winfield Detachment, said that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, “places that are deemed critical infrastructure – which AEP falls under – have an enhanced penalty. The FBI comes in and gets involved. Every time there’s a bomb threat there, we’re notified to bring in our bomb dogs and handlers. AEP has to notify the U.S. Coast Guard; they shut down the Kanawha River. The Homeland Security people are notified. A lot of resources get spent because you have to go through and check everything every time.”

AEP is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the threats, Dickson said. The State Police’s Winfield Detachment’s number to call with information is 304-586-2000.

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