January 22, 2008 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- A US Central Intelligence Agency analyst recently revealed that cyber criminals have been able to hack into computer systems via the Internet and cut power to several cities outside of the US.
CIA analyst, Tom Donahue, spoke at a conference of security professionals on Wednesday where he shared the information on the intricate attacks. He says that criminals have launched online attacks that have disrupted power equipment in several undisclosed regions outside of the US with one goal in mind, extortion.
In a statement posted to the Web by the conference organizers, the SANS Institute, Donahue says the CIA has information from multiple regions of cyber intrusions into utilities by hacking into their power grids, followed by extortion demands. Although the agency thoroughly considered the benefits and risks of making this information public, it came down on the side of disclosure, says Donahue.
According to reports, cyber intrusions made front-page headlines in September 2007 when CNN aired a video showing an Idaho National Laboratory demonstration of a software attack on the computer system used to control a power generator, which was rendered inoperable.
The US says it is currently taking steps to lock down the computers that manage its power systems.
"US Hackers?" What? The CIA's less than creditable statement makes absolutely no mention of the nationality of any of the alleged "hackers" who allegedly disrupted power in unnamed non-us cities. posted by: jamesn | January 22, 2008 12:55PM
That was a typo in the title. Thanks for pointing it out. We've changed it. posted by: Liam Eagle | January 22, 2008 01:15PM
