Security Concerns Still an Issue

Wednesday, 09 December 2009 09:58

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Security experts have raised an alarm that the two-way communication made possible by smart meters could make smart grids vulnerable to hackers or cyber terrorists. Communities could be at risk to power outages and individuals could have their personal information stolen.

Ann Whyte, Director of Corporate Communications at DS2, a leading technology innovator and a global provider of high speed semiconductor solutions for powerline communications, said suppliers that are planning to install electricity smart meters in every home by 2020 need to adopt new power-line communications technology to ensure the grids remain safe from cyberattacks."

The risk increases exponentially as the smart grid expands and becomes more complex with and increased number of entry points that could be exploited.To address the security issues, DS2 announced it is developing power-line communications for smart-grid applications and is developing state-of-the-art security standards. Its next-generation smart-grid technology has been specifically designed to prevent attacks on the smart-grid integrity.

The concern over smart meter technology points up the reality that cyber attacks are no longer strictly a computer network phenomenon; nearly any network, local or national, that uses computers are vulnerable to infiltration.

Risks notwithstanding, the smart meter transition continues on a steady course. Looking to provide communications for smart meter networks and other smart grid systems, AT&T has partnered with Silver Spring Networks, which provides the hardware, software and services that connect every device on the grid, creating a unified Smart Energy Platform. The two companies will offer their mutual services to utilities using Silver Spring for their smart meter communications.

AT&T is just the latest telecom angling to offer services for smart meters and smart grid services. Verizon is working with Duke Energy; T-Mobile USA is aligned with smart meter maker Echelon, and Sprint is working with several utilities including Florida Power & Light.