New Report Identifies Threat Environment to the North American Electric Grid

[1776Forever]

Even though this came out on June 2nd it is a very important study because of all the cyber attacks we are having against our power grids. It would be unfathomable to have this go down!

Cyberattacks seen as top threat to zap U.S. power grid
NERC report lists cyberattacks, pandemics and geomagnetic disturbances as top threats to North American electricity supply
By Ellen Messmer, Network World
June 02, 2010 12:05 AM ET

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/060210-nerc-cyberattack-power-grid.html

Cyber attacks, pandemics and electromagnetic disturbances are the three top "high impact" risks to the U.S. and Canadian power-generation grids, according to a report from the North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC).

"The specific concern with respect to these threats is the targeting of multiple key nodes in the system, if damaged, destroyed or interrupted in a coordinated fashion, could bring the system outside the protection provided by traditional planning and operating criteria," states the report, "High-Impact, Low-Frequency Risk to the North American Bulk Power System."

...........

New Report Identifies Threat Environment and Next Steps for Addressing Key High-Impact, Low-Frequency Risks to the North American Electric Grid

http://www.nerc.com/news_pr.php?npr=587

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 2, 2010 —The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a report today that identifies a certain class of high-impact, low-frequency risk shown to have the potential to significantly affect the reliability of the North American bulk power system. The report examines three high-impact, low-frequency risks in detail: coordinated cyber, physical, or blended attacks; pandemic illness; and Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMD) and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) events. These risks are rare, and in some cases have never occurred. Certain protections and mitigations are already in place to address these risks, and the study released today will help the electric sector, public utility commissions, and the federal government to further prepare for these potential risks.

DOE works with energy sector partners to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States and to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission. Addressing “High-Impact, Low-Frequency” risks, including those referenced in this report, will require continued cooperation between DOE, NERC, and electric sector partners. DOE is committed to continuing and deepening this partnership.

The 120-page report identifies 19 “Proposals for Action” directed to NERC, DOE, the electric industry, and nearly 15 government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) across North America. These “Proposals for Action” are designed to guide ongoing efforts to more fully address these risks, laying a strong foundation for future action. The proposals provide important insights into the issues facing the electric sector and focus on the need for more effective public-private partnership, better information sharing, key research and development activities, and prioritized protection of key nodes on the system.

The report is available on NERC’s website at http://www.nerc.com/files/HILF.pdf

[Scuba]

1. Every network engineer in America has known this for a decade.

[1776Forever]

4. True - Just as we all knew about the risk to off shore drilling - Priorities are screwed up! n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

2. coronal mass ejections

are the biggest threat and we are entering a sun phase where they will happen much more frequently.

I'm surprised they didn't mention it or maybe I missed that part.

The one that happened unexpectedly in 2003 took out 12 satellites plus the Mars observer that was suppose to analyze them and that one happened in the sun's quiet phase.

[1776Forever]

3. I think that would fall under "geomagnetic disturbances" & that was covered. Thanks - n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. The one in 1859 electrocuted telegraph workers and set their papers on fire

and electrical use was in its infancy and was at low wattage and ampere.

If it happened again and it will, it would cause trillions of dollars of damage
I think the cyber threat is negligible as compared to a CME