Securing smarter grids from the enemy

Smart grid security is a hot topic, especially as the UK government's £llbn smart meter roll-out is widely seen to be in disarray. A report from the Institute of Directors calling for the programme to be scrapped says the system is vulnerable to cyber-attacks that could leave us without power if hackers found a way in. However there are some developments in the field that could still create safe and secure smart grid infrastructures, which in turn may help get the smart meter project back on track. Truly smart grids can integrate the power generated from traditional sources such as coal and gas with that from wind, water and solar, as well as predict and manage how much power is coming in and what demand is going to be, and keep all of the data, applications and monitoring systems safe while it's doing so. With the way modern society works, we are completely dependent on electricity and there has been a lot of recent publicity around cyber attacks on smart grids. James Arbuthnot, the MP who chaired the Defence Select Committee until last year, said they pose a major threat to the UK's security, and the previous government pledged an extra £2m to the fight against hackers. National Grid won't discuss numbers but it's believed that there are multiple attacks on the network all day long, every day of the week.