Wednesday, September 10. 2003
No Clear Evidence
Remember DeNiro's constant declarations that there was no B3 bomberprogram, which immediately shifted the press' focus to anon-existent issue?
The government keeps saying "There is no clear evidence" that cyberterrorism was involved in the blackout.
Unfortunately, the SCADA systems used by the utilities are generally Windows-based, and inat least one case, port 135 was open on the systems. These systems were originally designedbefore the Internet, and tend to focus on the operational control of the systems. What they do NOTfocus on is security in the face of the fact that the networks are no longer isolated.
In April, Frontline broadcast a documentary on the vulnerability of the power grid to cyberterrorism. It's frightening in it'sprescience. The scenario described by some of the interviewees eerily matches what happened onAugust 14th. The program is available in streaming video on the site. Recommended viewing.