Fergie's Tech Blog

SCADA Watch: Critical Infrastructure Debate Centers on Control Systems

Ben Bain writes on FCW.com:

The debate continues over whether the government has enough cybersecurity authority over the privately owned industrial control systems that run critical infrastructure such as electricity, water and nuclear power systems.

Some observers say the best approach is for the government to partner with the industry and nonfederal authorities that run the systems — as the Homeland Security Department now does. However, some critics say that approach isn't sufficient and new legislation is needed to make sure the systems that increasingly rely on information technology are safe from cyberattacks.

The situation is complicated by the variety of industrial control systems, the ways they differ from standard IT systems, the many ways the systems are used by different sectors, and their increasing interconnectedness.

posted by Fergie @ 4/23/2009 01:15:00 PM