nuclear-news

Increasing threat of computer hacking on nuclear plants

Threat rises of hacking on nuclear plants http://www.news.com.au/world/breaking-news/threat-rises-of-hacking-on-nuclear-plants/news-story/b339bce09319bb03647838d8eacaa9f4.16 Dec 16 The “nightmare scenario” is rising for a hacking attack on a nuclear power plant’s computer system that causes the uncontrolled release of radiation, the United Nations’ deputy chief has warned.

Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told a Security Council meeting on Thursday that extremists and “vicious non-state groups” are actively seeking weapons of mass destruction “and these weapons are increasingly accessible”.

Non-state actors can already create mass disruption using cyber technologies – and hacking a nuclear plant would be a “nightmare scenario,” he said.

The open council meeting focused on ways to stop the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons by extremist groups and criminals.

Members unanimously approved a resolution to strengthen the work of the council committee monitoring what countries are doing to prevent “non-state actors” from acquiring or using weapons of mass destruction, known as WMDs.

Eliasson said there are legitimate concerns about the security of stockpiles of radioactive material suitable for making nuclear weapons but that are outside international regulation.

In addition, he said, “scientific advances have lowered barriers to the production of biological weapons.”

“And emerging technologies, such as 3D printing and unmanned aerial vehicles, are adding to threats of an attack using a WMD,” Eliasson said.

He said the international community needs robust defences to stay ahead of this technological curve.

December 17, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, safety