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Russian Hackers Breach US Power Grid Controls

Posted: July 26, 2018 to Cybersecurity.

Tags: Data Breach, Malware, Cloud Security

Cybersecurity experts have long warned of the dangers of hackers gaining access to the power grid. It turns out that Russian hackers have gained access to the control rooms of US power companies and that the attack is likely still ongoing, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The attack, by a state-sponsored hacker group called Energetic Bear, was well thought-out and pervasive, even gaining access to isolated networks. DHS says there are hundreds of victims, though they haven't named them, and there could be even more due to the fact that Energetic Bear uses employee login information, making it harder to detect suspicious activity. Energetic Bear was able to access utilities' networks by hacking vendors first with tried and true methods such as spearphishing and fake websites to capture login credentials. From there the hackers were able to access the utility networks and soak up as much information as possible. They learned everything from what kind of equipment was used to how they were configured, letting them get familiar with how everything works in order to make their activities look normal. It's not known if systems are clean, either. Given how invasive and quiet the attacks were, systems could still be infected or there could be backdoors ready to be exploited. The fact that Russia could turn our lights off at any time should be a wakeup call for utilities to be more selective in selecting their vendors. Are your employees trained in preventing hacks? If not, click here and make sure they are.

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About the Author

Craig Petronella, CEO and Founder of Petronella Technology Group
CEO, Founder & AI Architect, Petronella Technology Group

Craig Petronella founded Petronella Technology Group in 2002 and has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of cybersecurity, AI, compliance, and digital forensics. He holds the CMMC Registered Practitioner credential (RP-1372) issued by the Cyber AB, is an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License #604180-DFE), and completed MIT Professional Education programs in AI, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity. Craig also holds CompTIA Security+, CCNA, and Hyperledger certifications.

He is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity and compliance, host of the Encrypted Ambition podcast (95+ episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon), and a cybersecurity keynote speaker with 200+ engagements at conferences, law firms, and corporate boardrooms. Craig serves as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine and is a guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. He has served as a digital forensics expert witness in federal and state court cases involving cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and data breaches.

Under his leadership, Petronella Technology Group has served 2,500+ clients, maintained a zero-breach record among compliant clients, earned a BBB A+ rating every year since 2003, and been featured as a cybersecurity authority on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and WRAL. The company leverages SOC 2 Type II certified platforms and specializes in AI implementation, managed cybersecurity, CMMC/HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, and digital forensics for businesses across the United States.

CMMC-RP NC Licensed DFE MIT Certified CompTIA Security+ Expert Witness 15+ Books
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