SCADA – A critical situation

Abstract

SCADA systems are the computer safety valve for the industries that drive the modern economy. For years they have been entrusted with monitoring the operations of our infrastructure. But their migration to IP could now expose these guardians to attack. When we think about hackers, we usually think about hacking computer systems, trying to crack bank accounts, identity fraud and the like. We don’t usually consider that the stability of critical national infrastructures such as water, gas and electricity might be at stake. After all, it's a little alarming to think of the chaos that would ensue if the staples of modern infrastructure were hijacked. But that is now becoming more of a possibility due to a change in the way the systems used to control these utilities operate.