dagblog - Comments for "Report: U.S. Could Be Plunged Into Blackout By Minimal Attacks"

More on the story from

EmmaZahn — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 13:24:03 +0000

In reply to Report: U.S. Could Be Plunged Into Blackout By Minimal Attacks

More on the story from Bloomberg -- and it mentions microgrids!

Electric-Grid Attack Fuels Sniper-Versus-Hacker Debate - Bloomberg

Norris said the U.S. should focus on technologies, like the development of microgrids, that can quickly isolate damaged components from the rest of the network in the event of an attack. Advanced technologies can also make better use of data to improve awareness of incidents affecting the grid, he said.

“You address multiple threats, not just physical threats,” Norris said. At at FERC meeting on Feb. 20, he said, “Our future is in a much smarter and more nimble grid.”

It also mentions using card-keys to access substations a couple of times. How would they work if the grid is down?

Definitely should keep spares

EmmaZahn — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:36:23 +0000

In reply to How about just buying a bunch

Definitely should keep spares on hand because for some things it is better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them. But I suspect the biggest gaps would be in manpower know-how. No doubt, there would be a deep pool of volunteers willing to help but how many of them would get fried learning how to?

How about just buying a bunch

jollyroger — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:29:31 +0000

In reply to Why am I not comforted by

How about just buying a bunch of spare transformers, while they are still making them? Am I missing something ?

Edit to add: It was the stalwarts at FERC, of course, who stood between Granny and the rapacious pirates of ENRON once California deregulated on a state level

Why am I not comforted by

EmmaZahn — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 19:46:56 +0000

In reply to Report: U.S. Could Be Plunged Into Blackout By Minimal Attacks

Why am I not comforted by this reaction to the WSJ article by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, an article likely prompted by other recent FERC press releases and public statements?

Acting Chairman Cheryl A. LaFleur Statement

March 12, 2014

On Publication of Wall Street Journal Article About Grid Security

"We take seriously our obligation to the American people to protect the reliability and security of our nation’s energy infrastructure and to enhance its resilience. Experts from FERC and other federal agencies work continuously with the electric industry to assess the threats posed by physical attacks, cyber intrusions, and severe weather; perform sophisticated modeling to identify and address vulnerabilities; and provide advice on security techniques and best practices. FERC also oversees mandatory reliability standards for the electric industry, including cyber security standards and standards that require planning for contingencies and emergency operations. On Friday, March 7, 2014, FERC ordered mandatory standards to protect critical facilities from physical security threats and vulnerabilities. At the same time, no single action or approach is sufficient. Building a resilient grid requires a comprehensive and ongoing assessment of how the system is planned, constructed, operated, and secured under a range of conditions.

"Today’s publication by The Wall Street Journal of sensitive information about the grid undermines the careful work done by professionals who dedicate their careers to providing the American people with a reliable and secure grid. The Wall Street Journal has appropriately declined to identify by name particularly critical substations throughout the country. Nonetheless, the publication of other sensitive information is highly irresponsible. While there may be value in a general discussion of the steps we take to keep the grid safe, the publication of sensitive material about the grid crosses the line from transparency to irresponsibility, and gives those who would do us harm a roadmap to achieve malicious designs. The American people deserve better."

Why confirm that the WSJ article contained sensitive information?

Yeah, I was thinking of how

jollyroger — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 18:31:54 +0000

In reply to After the publication of this

Yeah, I was thinking of how nice it'd be to be off the grid....of course, then you'd need to sign up Resistance as your in house security, (he'll be in hog "I told you so" heaven if this ever happens...)

After the publication of this

wabby — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:50:17 +0000

In reply to Report: U.S. Could Be Plunged Into Blackout By Minimal Attacks

After the publication of this article, I wonder if there will be a coordinating jump in the stock prices of survival outfitters. You know, the guys that sell hand crank lights and water purification pills.

Turning (for the first

jollyroger — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:28:45 +0000

In reply to Report: U.S. Could Be Plunged Into Blackout By Minimal Attacks

Turning (for the first time...) to the actual content, this does seem to be one of those things (unlike, say, the ease of dumping LSD into the water supply, or the vulnerability of the subways to Sarin) that might not have occurred to the variegated enemies of established order (be they religionists or merely grumpy) without a little help from the media.

(Edit to add: EIGHTEEN MONTHS OF NO POWER--HOLY SHIT!)

One might accept this perhaps enhanced risk if there were even the slightest possibility that by this disclosure the PTB might be galvanized (pun intended) to remedial efforts, a hope that is manifestly futile, of course.

Once you've done your PhD

jollyroger — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 17:21:04 +0000

In reply to I think I just swooned. . .

Once you've done your PhD orals, the technique stays with you; (it's like riding a bike).

I think I just swooned. . .

Ramona — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:33:08 +0000

In reply to Happy to help out...the

I think I just swooned. . .

Happy to help out...the

jollyroger — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 13:55:33 +0000

In reply to "lesfictional"? JR, we need

Happy to help out...the learned author is incorporating a usage from the Parisian semiotic school, "Les Fictional(s)", an offshoot of dadaism, where outre (style points for the usage of French words) suggestions are juxtaposed with quotidien scenaria to bring the reader to an uncomfortable epiphany, as it were...the whole thing is further deconstructed by Foucault, in his famous Essai sur les typos but I digress...