SCADA Security Hacking Story: New York Dam

by Sohini Posted on
Sohini
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In 2013, an incident occurred in New York involving the intrusion of Iranian hackers into a small dam known as Bowman Dam. While the nature of the attack was not particularly sophisticated, it served as a test for the hackers to gauge the extent of their access to the dam’s systems.

Bowman Dam, a vital utility for managing storm surges, had its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system connected to the internet through a cellular modem. It’s important to note that the attack occurred during a maintenance period when the SCADA system’s control features were not operational, limiting the potential damage. Nevertheless, the attackers could infiltrate the system and only could monitor its status.

The primary cause of concern surrounding this incident lies in the vulnerability of the dam’s internet connection and the lack of robust security controls in place. It is widely believed that the dam was targeted not specifically due to its importance or value as a target but because of its exposed internet connection. The hackers exploited this weakness to gain unauthorised access and exhibited high technical expertise by directly manipulating the SCADA equipment.

This case is a stark reminder of the inherent risks of directly exposing SCADA systems to the internet. When these systems are not adequately protected, they become attractive targets for potential hackers. The Bowman Dam intrusion underscores the urgent need for implementing stringent security measures to safeguard critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

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How can Valency Network help you prevent SCADA Security hacking attacks?

Valency Network offers various services and solutions to help organisations prevent SCADA security hacking attacks. Here are some ways in which we can assist:

  1. Vulnerability Assessments and Penetration Testing: Valency Network can comprehensively assess your SCADA systems, identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses that hackers could exploit. Through penetration testing, we simulate real-world attack scenarios to evaluate the efficacy of your security controls.
  2. Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Valency Network can perform risk assessments tailored to your SCADA environment, identifying potential threats and their impact on critical infrastructure. Based on the findings, we can develop and implement strategies to mitigate risks and enhance the security posture of your SCADA systems.
  3. Security Architecture and Design: Valency Network can help design secure SCADA architectures, taking into account best practices and industry standards. We can assist in developing fast network segmentation, access controls, and encryption mechanisms to protect critical assets.
  4. Security Monitoring and Incident Response: Valency Network can deploy advanced monitoring solutions to detect and respond to real-time security incidents. We can set up Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Security Operations Centers (SOC) to continuously monitor SCADA systems and respond swiftly to potential threats.
  5. Employee Training and Awareness: Valency Network recognises the importance of human factors in cybersecurity. We can provide customised training programs and awareness campaigns to educate employees about SCADA security best practices and social engineering risks and recognise and report potential security incidents.
  6. Compliance and Regulatory Assistance: Valency Network can help your organisation navigate SCADA security compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks. We can assist in aligning your systems with industry standards such as NIST, IEC 62443, and ISA/IEC 62443, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and guidelines.
  7. Incident Response Planning and Exercises: Valency Network can collaborate with your organisation to develop robust response plans tailored to SCADA security incidents. We can conduct tabletop exercises and simulations to test the effectiveness of your response strategies and refine them as necessary.

Thus, our expertise and services encompass vulnerability assessments, risk mitigation, security architecture design, monitoring, incident response, employee training, compliance assistance, and incident response planning. By leveraging these services, you can enhance your SCADA security defences and proactively prevent SCADA security hacking attacks. So please sit back and relax, knowing we have your back as a trusted cyber security ninja to guide you in this ever-changing digital world.