[ISN] Watchdogs sniff out 6 critical cybersecurity challenges facing the electrical grid

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/011311-cybersecurity-challenges-electrical-grid.html

By Michael Cooney
Network World
January 13, 2011

As the country's electricity grid undergoes a transformation and moves 
toward a more intelligently networked, automated system, it faces an 
increasing amount cybersecurity issues.

Watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office today said while the 
increased use of smart grid systems may have a number of benefits, 
"including improved reliability from fewer and shorter outages, downward 
pressure on electricity rates due to the ability to shift peak demand, 
an improved ability to transmit power from alternative energy sources 
such as wind, and an improved ability to detect and respond to potential 
attacks on the grid," many challenges remain.

 From its report, the GAO identified the following six challenges that 
are key to ensuring the cybersecurity of the nation's electricity grid.

* Lack of information: Consumers are not adequately informed about the 
  benefits, costs, and risks associated with smart grid systems.  
  Specifically, there is concern that consumers are not aware of the 
  benefits, costs and risks associated with smart grid systems. This 
  lack of awareness may limit the extent to which consumers are willing 
  to pay for secure and reliable systems, which may cause regulators to 
  be reluctant to approve rate increases associated with cybersecurity.  
  As a result, until consumers are more informed about the benefits, 
  costs and risks of smart grid systems, utilities may not invest in, or 
  get approval for, comprehensive security for smart grid systems, which 
  may increase the risk of attacks succeeding.


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