utilities – Page 4 – InfoHive

3 Bits of informed:intel. Cyber Attacks & Downgrades to a City's Credit Rating

Has a US city had its credit rating downgraded after a cyber attack? No

Do financial industry analysts think it possible to downfgrade a city’s credit rating after a cyber attack? yes

What factors can play into whether a local governmental entity’s credit rating could get downgraded?

Does the local governmental entity, like a school district or municipal utility, have the fiscal reserves to pay the costs of cleaning up a cyber attack?
Does the cyber attack hamper the tax payers support of…

3 Ways Smart Cities = Data Security Nightmare

The uptick in hacks as connectivity increases:

42% increase in the number of connected devices since 2016
number of attacks on critical infrastructure jumped from under 200 in 2012 to almost 300 attacks in 2015

Smart technology adoption is high, but:

innovations are deployed without robust testing
cybersecurity is often neglected
security protocols are not kept current

A hypothetical hack of power systems impacting 93 Million in North America would cost:

anywhere from $21 billion to $71…

Emergency Radio Signals Hacked. Pivot for Cyber Security Legislation.

When considering legislation to protect state infrastructure and emergency management systems, it has beeen revealed that the hack that led to the triggering of the Dallas emergency alarms was not a computer hack, but a hack of the radio signals.

State Tech | Dallas Reveals Radio Signals, Not Network Hack, Triggered Emergency Sirens

Utilities & Cyber Security. 3 Reasons Utilities Say CyberSecurity is the #1 issue.

The survey of utility professionals: Utility Dive’s fourth annual State of the Electric Utility Survey, surveying more than 600 utility professionals

The #1 most pressing issue facing utility companies: cyber and physical security

what you need to know:

In 2015 & 2016 cyber and physical security was the 6th most pressing issue for utilities
Increased media attention to cyber threats has raised the issue’s importance
How the issues ranked as very important to the companies surveyed:
- cyber…

1 Legislative Step to Protect Utility Districts from Ransomeware Attack.

The legislative step that could protect utility districts from ransomeware threats? 15 minute backup intervals

The 15 minute regular backup allowed Nebraska’s Central Platte Natural Resources District to thwart a ransomeware attack.

SC Media | Nebraska irrigation district thwarts ransomware attack with automatic backup

State Regulators Impose Data Security Rules on Utilities. 3 Key Pieces of Intel.

Where: Michigan

The regulators who want to impsoe data security standards on utilities: Michigan Public Service Commission

What data security requirements would be added to utlities?

require annual reporting that overivews:
- utility cybersecurity programs
- staffing numbers
- describes employee training
- explains cybersecurity threats that have been experienced

Washington Times | State wants rules to toughen utilities’ cybersecurity

TREND. Anatomy of A State Cyber Security Quick Reaction Force

Germany has created a mobile Quick Reaction Force to quickly address cyberthreats.

Which cyber threats will the Quick Reaction Force respond to? Cyber attacks on government agencies & critical infrastructure

Will there be cyber threat information sharing between business interests and the state? yes.

Why did they enact this Quick Reaction Force for cybersecurity? To protect Germany’s elections from Russian or Chinese hackers

DW.com | German cabinet approves cyber security…

Data Breach. Electric Infrastructure. Telecommunications.

U.S. military hackers have penetrated Russia’s electricty grid & telecommunications in repsonse to Russian attempts on U.S. infrastructure.

NBC News | U.S. Govt. Hackers Ready to Hit Back If Russia Tries to Disrupt Election

3 Concerns about Data Security in Energy Sector

A recent Tripwire survey of energy cybersecurity experts reveals:

Most energy security experts don’t know what would happen if their systems were breached
Only 59% know how long it would take to find a hacker on their system
73% believe they could detect unauthorized intrustions in their network

SC Magazine | Energy sector cybersecurity workers overconfident in their capabilities

TREND. Move Infrastructure back to Old School to Thwart Breaches.

What cyber security threat could be helped by old school methods? Electric Grid Security

Who is proposing old school solutions? 4 U.S. Senators: King, Heinrich, Risch, Collins

What does the legislation call for?

2 year study
examinging technology that makes the grid vulnerable
how the automated systems can be hacked remotely
“reengineer the last mile of the energy grid to isolate its most important systems”

The Hill | Senate bill would encourage ‘retro’ grid security approach