From the Wall St Journal:
The electric-utility industry is planning a pilot initiative to see whether Chinese spies have infiltrated computer networks running the power grid, according to people familiar with the effort.
Blame the so-called smart grid, the initiative to make the American power grid more efficient, eco-friendly, and more accommodating to alternative power sources. The problem is that it’s optimised by computers that control the whole thing, creating opportunities for mischief.
There’s even more potential bad news for the Smart Grid as well. The Register reports that smart meters being introduced into millions of homes may contain security holes so large, they could allow hackers to shut down the Smart Grid.
The power grid has been breached before:
The Wall Street Journal reported in April that Russian and Chinese spies had penetrated the U.S. electric grid. Lawmakers are pushing at least three different proposals to boost cybersecurity in the electric sector
But let’s not get too upset about it. They’re buying our iron and paying top dollar!