From PC World – Article from PRWeb
A water utility in Illinois was reportedly hacked in a cyber attack traced back to Russia. The motives are not clear, but the act alone demonstrates how vulnerable our SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) networks are, and the potential risks posed to the critical infrastructure of the United States.
The FBI and DHS are investigating the incident. Attackers were able to obtain login credentials from a company that makes the software used to control industrial systems like the Illinois water pump, and remotely shut it down. The attackers reportedly enabled and disabled the pump repeatedly, eventually damaging it.
SCADA networks are low-hanging fruit that represent prime targets for cyber attacks.This instance is more a nuisance than a real threat, but attacks against SCADA systems can have grave consequences. SCADA systems are specialized control devices used to monitor, manage, and maintain chemical plants, natural gas pipelines, dams, railroad switches, nuclear power facilities, and water treatment plants like the one hacked in Illinois. The potential for endangering lives with a compromised SCADA network is very serious.
