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Infrastructure is the new battlefield of cyber warfare. Two days before Super Bowl LV in Tampa, FL, a hacker attempted to taint the water supply of Oldsmar, FL, a small city just 12 miles from the stadium. The attacker increased the amount of sodium hydroxide (also known as lye) from 100 parts per million (ppm) to 11,100 ppm.
The potential threat of this type of attack has been known for several years. This narrowly averted disaster should serve as a warning to other water treatment plants, as well as all other critical infrastructure facilities, to take heed and evaluate their cyber security measures.
This also reveals the reality that many smaller communities, with fewer resources, overlook or minimize the need for security in their industrial control systems. All critical infrastructure owners and operators must prioritize security because their communities depend on them for public health and safety, as well as the local economy.
The fact that this attempt was not successful is a stroke of luck. A facility operator happened to notice the mouse cursor moving on the screen and was able to undo the hacker’s actions within minutes. Imagine how different the result would have been if that operator had not noticed the anomaly. Ideally, such facilities should incorporate more automated monitoring of their systems.
Commonwealth Sentinel can help your organization stay secure by implementing robust password policies, utilizing practical multi-factor authentication tools, and providing comprehensive in-person cyber training for your entire staff. It only takes one lucky cyber criminal to cause damage, so your team must always remain vigilant. To schedule a consultation, click here or contact us at (502) 320-9885.
At Commonwealth Sentinel, we are focused on cyber security so that you can focus on other things.