Russian hackers penetrated U.S. electricity grid through a utility in Vermont

[ehrnst]

A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the Obama administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont utility, according to U.S. officials.

While the Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, according to officials who asked for anonymity in order to discuss a security matter, the penetration of the nation’s electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability. Government and utility industry officials regularly monitor the nation’s electrical grid because it is highly computerized and any disruptions can have disastrous implications for the function of medical and emergency services.

American officials, including one senior administration official, said they are not yet sure what the intentions of the Russians might have been. The penetration may have been designed to disrupt the utility’s operations or as a test by the Russians to see whether they could penetrate a portion of the grid.

Federal officials have shared the malware code used in Grizzly Steppe with utility executives nationwide, a senior administration official said, and Vermont utility officials identified it within their operations.

While it is unclear which utility reported the incident, there are just two major utilities in Vermont, Green Mountain Power and Burlington Electric.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/russian-hackers-penetrated-us-electricity-grid-through-a-utility-in-vermont/2016/12/30/

[cbreezen]

1. I still can't help but wonder...

How our electrical grid managed to work just fine before the internet.

Please, enlighten me.

[LaydeeBug]

16. the same way you could listen to music on a Victrola or an 8 track...

systems update with the times...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I wonder if Russia turned off the lights here would Comrade Trump retaliate.

[elehhhhna]

4. He would tweet a thank you to Vlad for making us more energy efficient

[sarcasmo]

9. Then Tweet, Vlad is so smart.

[pangaia]

3. I have offered wondered why this hasn't happened before.

or something like it.

Even your every day common terrorist could raise havoc just by blowing up one of the power line towers leading away from Niagara Falls.

[KamaAina]

5. Vermont, you say? Why, Bernie must be in cahoots with them!

[Henry Krinkle]

6. I'm finding it difficult to be outraged by this.

As if we're not doing the same thing too, and have been doing for some time.

We're just better at it about not getting caught, or if we have, no one is talking about it

[LaydeeBug]

14. False equivalence much?

[spanone]

7. is trump denying it happened and that we should move on????

[femmocrat]

8. Dry run?

It is entirely possible.

[leftofcool]

11. Yes

[Truth321]

10. Lack of sense

It seems to be not so bright to have the keystone of civilization as we know it to be easily compromised.....by anyone that wishes us ill will.

[roamer65]

12. Act of war.

[sarcasmo]

13. This story should blow up on Monday, 100-1 there won't be a peep on the TV commentator shows.

[LaydeeBug]

15. Not at all...this story will NOT blow up. The media is too busy manufacturing Russia's next puffer.

[LaydeeBug]

17. Page not found...they took the link down already. nt

[oberliner]

18. Please note that this is not true

Statement from Burlington Electric Department:

"Last night, U.S. utilities were alerted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of a malware code used in Grizzly Steppe, the name DHS has applied to a Russian campaign linked to recent hacks," said Mike Kanarick, spokesman for Burlington Electric Department. "We acted quickly to scan all computers in our system for the malware signature. We detected the malware in a single Burlington Electric Department laptop not connected to our organization’s grid systems. We took immediate action to isolate the laptop and alerted federal officials of this finding. Our team is working with federal officials to trace this malware and prevent any other attempts to infiltrate utility systems. We have briefed state officials and will support the investigation fully."

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2016/12/30/russia-hacked-us-grid-through-burlington-electric/96024326/