Eyes wide shut: The growing threat of cyber attacks on industrial control systems.

When industrial control systems are connected to the Internet, they can be vulnerable to cyber attacks. At risk are energy sources and electric grids, water and sewer systems, manufacturing, banks, transportation and communication networks, and other systems that may be targeted by hackers, terrorists, or enemy states seeking to wreak economic havoc. Despite a series of well-publicized cyber attacks in recent years, few companies have taken the steps necessary to isolate industrial control systems and sensitive information, and to limit the damage an attack can inflict. Security is not just a matter of dealing with technical issues, which are fairly straightforward and tactical. The strategic issue is governance: coordinating the efforts of various departments to ensure that information technology works together with physical security, legal counsel, human resources, and operations management. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]