Computer systems at nuclear facilities all over the world face cyber-attacks on a daily basis, so said a UN nuclear watchdog group while addressing a conference on Monday.
There were three identified cases of random malware-based attacks targeted at nuclear power plants. According to Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), “reports of actual or attempted cyber-attacks are now virtually a daily occurrence"
He continued:
“staff responsible for nuclear security should know how to repel cyber-attacks and to limit the damage if systems are actually penetrated. The IAEA is doing what it can to help governments, organizations, and individuals adapt to evolving technology-driven threats from skilled cyber adversaries.”
The threat of cyber-crime and cyber-attacks has been steadily growing over recent years and particularly in developing countries where criminals can exploit legal loopholes and weak security measures, according to recent findings by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
A timeline of cyber attacks on nuclear facilities:
- November 2012, UN Nuclear Energy server was hacked by Israeli hackers.
- February 2013, U.S. Energy department was under cyberattack by Chinese hackers. The department includes the National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains nuclear weapons.
- December 2013 - South Korean nuclear operator was hacked and blueprints along with officials’ personal data was leaked.
- February 2014 - report said South Korea will develop Stuxnet-like cyber weapons to destroy North Korean nuclear facilities.
- December 2014 - FBI warned officials that Iran may conduct cyber attacks on U.S Defence and Energy Sector.
- March 2015, Computers at South Korean Nuke Reactors were hacked where hackers threatened to leak top secret data in case officials failed to pay ransom.
- March 2015, South Korea blamed North Korea for hacking its Nuclear plants.
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