5G supports 1 million devices per square kilometer.
Device density / Technology intensity. This refers to the total surface area of a network that a hacker can use to attack and penetrate. Most of these devices are a "mono culture", PC or Mac, so like a virus spreading through a monoculture of cows or plants is the same concept for digital devices.
For example, think how dependent we are on electronic security. Key pads open up doors to the ATM and just about every secure building. If you have an issue you call 911. We now have "security cameras" everywhere connected to the internet. Anything that is connected is vulnerable.
On the one hand the vulnerabilities are increasing exponentially, on the other hand we are becoming totally dependent on electricity, computerization, the internet and AI. But how can you protect that? Is it possible?
The electric power delivery system that carries electricity from large central generators to customers could be severely damaged by a small number of well-informed attackers. The system is inherently vulnerable because transmission lines may span hundreds of miles, and many key facilities are unguarded. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that the power grid, most of which was originally designed to meet the needs of individual vertically integrated utilities, is being used to move power between regions to support the needs of competitive markets for power generation. Primarily because of ambiguities introduced as a result of recent restricting the of the industry and cost pressures from consumers and regulators, investment to strengthen and upgrade the grid has lagged, with the result that many parts of the bulk high-voltage system are heavily stressed.
Electric systems are not designed to withstand or quickly recover from damage inflicted simultaneously on multiple components. Such an attack could be carried out by knowledgeable attackers with little risk of detection or interdiction. Further well-planned and coordinated attacks by terrorists could leave the electric power system in a large region of the country at least partially disabled for a very long time. Although there are many examples of terrorist and military attacks on power systems elsewhere in the world, at the time of this study international terrorists have shown limited interest in attacking the U.S. power grid. However, that should not be a basis for complacency. Because all parts of the economy, as well as human health and welfare, depend on electricity, the results could be devastating.
Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System focuses on measures that could make the power delivery system less vulnerable to attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable while the delivery of conventional electric power has been disrupted.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2012. Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12050.
Now suppose you have a hardened facility with a backup generator and the best IT security. If you cut off the power they can keep running as long as they have diesel. But you cut off the power to the gas stations and that means that you have thrown a massive wrench into the distribution of oil. Now add to this the chaos and confusion that will take place in the big cities. Yes, your facility is hardened and safe, but your workers have to return each evening to a Mad Max world unable to buy gas for their car, heat their home, or buy food. The streets have descended into anarchy. You see, it doesn't matter if your system is hardened, and this goes for nuclear reactors, and other critical infrastructure.
Device density / Technology intensity. This refers to the total surface area of a network that a hacker can use to attack and penetrate. Most of these devices are a "mono culture", PC or Mac, so like a virus spreading through a monoculture of cows or plants is the same concept for digital devices.
For example, think how dependent we are on electronic security. Key pads open up doors to the ATM and just about every secure building. If you have an issue you call 911. We now have "security cameras" everywhere connected to the internet. Anything that is connected is vulnerable.
On the one hand the vulnerabilities are increasing exponentially, on the other hand we are becoming totally dependent on electricity, computerization, the internet and AI. But how can you protect that? Is it possible?
The electric power delivery system that carries electricity from large central generators to customers could be severely damaged by a small number of well-informed attackers. The system is inherently vulnerable because transmission lines may span hundreds of miles, and many key facilities are unguarded. This vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that the power grid, most of which was originally designed to meet the needs of individual vertically integrated utilities, is being used to move power between regions to support the needs of competitive markets for power generation. Primarily because of ambiguities introduced as a result of recent restricting the of the industry and cost pressures from consumers and regulators, investment to strengthen and upgrade the grid has lagged, with the result that many parts of the bulk high-voltage system are heavily stressed.
Electric systems are not designed to withstand or quickly recover from damage inflicted simultaneously on multiple components. Such an attack could be carried out by knowledgeable attackers with little risk of detection or interdiction. Further well-planned and coordinated attacks by terrorists could leave the electric power system in a large region of the country at least partially disabled for a very long time. Although there are many examples of terrorist and military attacks on power systems elsewhere in the world, at the time of this study international terrorists have shown limited interest in attacking the U.S. power grid. However, that should not be a basis for complacency. Because all parts of the economy, as well as human health and welfare, depend on electricity, the results could be devastating.
Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System focuses on measures that could make the power delivery system less vulnerable to attacks, restore power faster after an attack, and make critical services less vulnerable while the delivery of conventional electric power has been disrupted.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2012. Terrorism and the Electric Power Delivery System. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12050.
Now suppose you have a hardened facility with a backup generator and the best IT security. If you cut off the power they can keep running as long as they have diesel. But you cut off the power to the gas stations and that means that you have thrown a massive wrench into the distribution of oil. Now add to this the chaos and confusion that will take place in the big cities. Yes, your facility is hardened and safe, but your workers have to return each evening to a Mad Max world unable to buy gas for their car, heat their home, or buy food. The streets have descended into anarchy. You see, it doesn't matter if your system is hardened, and this goes for nuclear reactors, and other critical infrastructure.
