Are smart meters and smart grids prone to attacks?
While utilities companies and Western governments have been pushing for smart meters and smart grids to more effectively manage power supply, it may seem that the rush to provide these devices might have left consumers - and even the power supply companies - at risk.
An internal audit by the US Energy Department found that found that about one-third of these projects funded to provide smart grids failed to put in adequate security controls.
According to Business Insider:
In some cases crummy security could let hackers gain personal information of homeowners, says the Washington Post. Attacks could also bring down the utility and, in a worst-case scenario, harm the whole dang power grid.
While smart meters do have their advantages, allowing consumers to monitor and better manage their energy usage, they should also be aware of the dangers from “the internet of things.”
(Source: Business Insider)
