Chinese and Russians hack US electricity grid

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 8 Apr 2009 at 16:48

Cyberspies have penetrated the US electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system, according to reports.

The spies came from China, Russia and other countries, and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the American electrical system and its controls, the Wall Street Journal claims, citing current and former US national security officials.

The intruders haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure but officials claim they could try during a crisis or war.

"The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid," a senior intelligence official claims. "So have the Russians."

The espionage is pervasive across the US and does not target a particular company or region, says a former Department of Homeland Security official.

"There are intrusions, and they are growing," the former official tells the paper. "There were a lot last year."

Authorities investigating the intrusions have found software tools left behind that could be used to destroy infrastructure components, the senior intelligence official adds. "If we go to war with them, they will try to turn them on," he says.

Officials claim water, sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk.

The administration of US President Barack Obama was not immediately available for comment on the report.

Protecting the electrical grid and other infrastructure is a key part of the Obama administration's cybersecurity review, which is to be completed next week.