Slashdot Mirror
Smart Grid May Also Carry IPv6 Traffic
itwbennett writes "Kevin Fogarty is blogging about new specs outlined by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) that outline the requirements for 'any network designed to carry data instead of just electrons.' What's needed, in short, is 'a Common Information Model for the format of data in the network, interfaces to allow it to go from one device or substation to another, exchanges between control centers and communications protocols that will add security to the net.'"
And isn't high frequency electrical noise carried over high power lines a threat to our health?
http://areyoutargeted.com/fighting-back/public-relations/making-your-case/eh-and-health/
Probably not but it is a threat to radio communications, esp HAM radio; unless the "smart grid" will use shielded power lines only. Sounds like another stimulus project.
I swear I've heard this before... ... Time Passes...
oh yeah, phone lines... I think it went something like this:
Exec 1: We already have lines run, why should we bother with a second set of lines for control signals say from pay phones?
Exec 2: I can't see of a reason, let's do it
Exec 1: we all get bonus for saving ourselves $BIGNUM bucks.
Exec 2: Sweet!
Captain Crunch: *2600Hz whistle* now can I get free long distance calls?
Execs 1..N: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.....
hence the development of SS7.
Now if we can get this, which network is going to be "phoning home" to report electrical usage? even if the traffic is sufficiently encypted, and authenticated, what happens when someone decides to start DOSing their electrical meter? that and, eventually, and i stress eventually, any encryption can be defeated. it's only a matter of time before someone figures out how to fake electrical readings from the new smart meters, or better yet, hacks and publishes the hack, for certain brands of meters.
I will not give in to the terrorists. I will not become fearful.
Without getting too detailed, shutting down the internet for an entire block is more difficult than you might think. You either need to physically stop the signal by breaking the circuit or having some sort of jammer on the wire, which would require interfering with multiple kinds of wire (cable, phone, etc). Or you need to cooperate with the internet providers to suspend individual user accounts or stop routing to their local node.
This still wouldn't stop cell data access unless they shut down entire towers, and even then there could be someone who gets a decent 802.11 signal from an AP a few streets down.
All in all the time involved, amount of participation, or cost of equipment and installation would be way too high for simply shutting down internet for a precise region.