Critical Infrastructure Control Systems Vulnerabilities
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| izdano v: | International Conference on Information Warfare and Security (Apr 2010), p. 106-113 |
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Academic Conferences International Limited
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| Online dostop: | Citation/Abstract Full Text Full Text - PDF |
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| Resumen: | As computer technology has permeated much of today's society, the interconnectedness of the world can be viewed as both an economic advantage and a security weakness. The networked world has nourished an environment in which cyber warfare can flourish. Cyber warfare has become a desired mode of fighting when attacking a highly industrialized and wired nation. Nations throughout the world are developing and executing cyber warfare strategies to disrupt their enemy's communications, logistics, transportation and military infrastructures. One of the most powerful attacks that can be rendered on a nation's ability to make war is a cyber attack on the computerized systems that control its critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure includes a nation's communications, public works, financial and utility institutions. In the United States, the utility infrastructure control systems were designed as non-networked, stand alone entities to prevent unauthorized infiltration. With the privatization of utility services, these systems are now being integrated with corporate communication infrastructures in an effort to achieve cost savings and are now vulnerable to attack. The systems, with their dedicated software and hardware, are unable to be patched to address security concerns. Additionally, when utility services upgrade their control systems, budgetary constraints force them to select a commercially available software packages that are available throughout the world. These programs can also be purchased by the enemies of the state and then manipulated to gain knowledge of the system that can result in unfettered access to the nation's critical infrastructure control systems. Although public and private organizations throughout the nation have taken the initiative and made small strives in security, more must be done. The government of the United States must develop and enforce standards on infrastructure control systems to safeguard the nation's lifeblood, its critical infrastructure. This paper provides a non-technical overview of the United States' critical utility infrastructure control systems. The overview includes the proliferation of their use, their history, security threats and incidents. Also highlighted are some of the initiatives that both public and private organizations have taken to address this issue. Finally recommendations to increase security are made. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] |
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| Fuente: | Political Science Database |