Energy Company Hacker Protection Detailed in New Report

Feb. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Body:
The discovery this week of a Chinese hacker attack on energy industry companies has revealed the vulnerability of cyber systems. The hacking risk of energy companies’ computers and theft of proprietary information presents a major challenge to the industry and government, according to the Securing Energy Assets and Infrastructure Report (http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/Securing-Energy-Assets-and-Infrastructure.html?v=1&itemid=3303&ref=prlog).

Protecting energy assets, including transmission grids and the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure, has become a priority for the industry and government. Strategies for enhancing U.S. energy security continue to evolve, yet questions remain as to how companies can defend against a hacker attack on its critical systems.

The report, “Securing Energy Assets and Infrastructure,” examines possible threat scenarios, and how companies can prepare for and respond to those threats effectively. In addition to offering a detailed look at the energy industry security challenges, the report includes an analysis of cyber-terrorism, and strategies for protecting control systems.

Recent terrorist activities like the China hacker attack on global oil and gas companies - as reported by security company McAfee, have raised several critical questions:

- How can the U.S. defend itself against future attacks on critical infrastructure such as energy systems?
- Are energy supplies vulnerable to attack, and if so – how and where?
- How can energy generating and storage facilities be made safer?
- How can we protect transportation systems and transmission lines?
- How are government and industry leaders working together to develop contingency plans to protect the public?
- What are the roles of industry and government?

A U.S. energy grid attack is not just theoretical. Planned attacks on the energy grid have taken place long before September 11, such as the 1975 New World Liberation Front bombing of Pacific Gas & Electric; and conspiracies orchestrated by the Ku Klux Klan and San Joaquin Militia to attack the U.S. energy grid.

The vulnerability of energy systems is frighteningly real. This report examines the current state of U.S. energy security, and offers insight into how the energy infrastructure can be better protected in case of attack. The report provides policy suggestions on how a company can prepare for those attacks, and how energy facilities can be made safer. It also looks at how contingency plans may help to protect the energy grid and the American public, and what types of policies would be appropriate for enhancing U.S. energy security.  

The comprehensive report includes a detailed risk assessment, an analysis of efforts to protect the power grid, and recommendations for both protection and recovery from attack. View full details at http://energybusinessreports.com/shop/Securing-Energy-Ass...
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