Researchers say new attack could take down the European power grid
1 min read
Summary
Researchers explored the possibility of controlling streetlights in Berlin using an adaptation of an older technology, and discovered that the same system controls power from renewable energy sources all over Central Europe.
They calculated that a well-crafted sequence of rogue messages to these facilities could take down the European grid, but a grid security expert is doubtful that the conditions to do this could actually be met.
The very fact that such an old, unsophisticated and poorly encrypted system is still in use in such a critical part of the grid, and that there are no immediate plans to change it, is more worrying than the potential for a blackout.
