Researchers drew connections and assessed weaknesses using a framework that would assess the bottleneck of a power grid and its interconnection with their neighbouring grids. Photo: BloombergWashington: Smart grid technology—such as management systems in power plants—may be prone to hacking, say scientists who delved into “nightmare” scenarios where hackers exploit security weaknesses and execute a disruptive plan of cyberattacks. Ten points out that hackers target specific parts of the control network of power infrastructure and they focus on the mechanisms that control it. The interconnectedness of the grid can also cause cascading impacts leading to blackouts, equipment failure and islanding where regions become cut off and isolated from the main power grid. Researchers drew connections and assessed weaknesses using a framework that would assess the bottleneck of a power grid and its interconnection with their neighbouring grids.

Source: Mint February 12, 2017 16:31 UTC