US Energy Grid attacked by Hackers

In 2004, The Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT), a division of the Department of Homeland Security investigated 79 hacking incidents at energy companies. According to a survey by Threat Track Security, hackers managed to break into 37% of energy companies between April 2013 and 2014. Cybersecurity firm FireEye identified nearly 50 types of malware that specifically target energy comapnies in 2013 alone. According to a study by Verizon in 2014, Energy firms get hit with more spy malware than any other industry.

Malware find their way onto software due to irresponsible and careless employees that click on bad links in an email. However, CERT revealed that a Russian malware called BlackEnergy had found its way onto the software that controls electrical turbines in the United States. Investigators didn't see any attempts to damage or disrupt machines but the hackers have the potential to flip switches off. Knowing how people reacted when there was loss of power during Hurricane Katrina, it would create chaos if hackers were able to cut off power in the Unite States. The lack of communication due to loss of power would definitely benefit a potential enemy.

At a power grid security conference in San Antonio, Texas in October, NSA director Admiral Mike Rogers told energy companies the power infrastructure just wasn't designed to stand up to today's attacks. However, Energy companies have taken some precautions. They have cybersecurity teams and their Internet-connected corporate computers are separate from the stations that control critical machines.Hackers would have to ban together and calculate their attack in order to take down a city's power which is very possible.

Power is very essential to everyone in America. It provides light, heat, and the ability to communicate with other people. When my area was hit by the Hurricane I had trouble going to the bathroom, the food in my refrigerator and freezer went bad, and I was bored out of my mind. Hurricane was a natural disaster and the power companies had pretty much no control over it. If the hackers are able to make the country go dark, it's going to be a lot like what action movies warned us about.