Dr. Conca answers the question .... Is hacking nuclear power plants something we should be afraid of? The answer is ....No! Nuclear plants are still mostly analog and not connected to the Internet. On purpose. Hackers have been penetrating the computer networks of companies that operate nuclear power stations and other energy facilities, as well as manufacturing plants. A joint report from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI suggests many of the hackers are backed by governments like Russia and China. U.S. nuclear plants, like our own Columbia Generating Station here in Richland, are one of the best protected of all systems from cyber threats.
They are truly operational islands wholly disconnected from the Internet, so hackers can not affect plant operations, safety and control systems, or other vital plant components. They can hack some business, personnel and other non-essential files, which may be embarrassing and costly, but not dangerous. Unlike other industries, the nuclear power industry conducts regular briefings, and receives quarterly classified briefings on cyber and physical threats, with the FBI and DHS to discuss and strategize on threat assessments, and to maintain situational awareness.
So far, no reactors operating in the United States have been affected by hacking. The nuclear industry does not use firewalls to isolate these systems, that is not good enough. Much of this is classified, but the plants use hardware-based data diode technologies developed for high assurance environments, like the DOD. Data diodes allow information to be sent out, like operational and monitoring data, but ensure that information cannot flow back into the plant. Updating software and equipment using portable devices have strict restrictions. Outside laptops and thumb drives cannot be used without serious scrubbing, if at all. U.S. utilities with nuclear assets have very robust cyber security programs dating back to the days of Y2K.
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