The EU Power Grid Is Under Attack
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), has disclosed that its administrative IT systems were recently cracked in a cyber-attack, although it has claimed that its operational transmission system operator (TSO) systems were not affected. The organisation is responsible for coordination of European electricity markets has announced its IT network had been compromised in a “cyber intrusion.”
ENTSO-E's members include large electric transmission operators across the continent, comprising 42 members across 35 countries and the organitaion says that it “recently found evidence of a successful cyber intrusion into its office network,”
The organisation said in a statement on its website. “A risk assessment has been performed and contingency plans are now in place to reduce the risk and impact of any further attacks. It is important to note that the ENTSO-E office network is not connected to any operational TSO system. Our TSO members have been informed and we continue to monitor and assess the situation.”
The compromised office network is not connected to any operational electric transmission system, ENTSO-E said, meaning the attack was confined to IT systems and did not impact control systems.
Multiple ENTSO-E members in Europe said they were investigating the incident. Fingrid, the Helsinki-based transmission system operator (TSO), said that the breach may delay its release of Energy Identification Codes (EICs) that support trading on the European electricity market. ENTSO-E is not the only or the first power grid organisation in the world that hackers have tried to target to disrupt the power supply.
In 2016, Russia hacked Ukraine’s power grid with the aim of physically damage transmissions stations and disrupt power supplies in the country. The attacks caused a quick blackout in most parts of Kyiv city. Earlier this year, Iran targeted US electric utilities following increased tension between the two countries.
Computing: Cyberscoop: ENTSO-E:
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