Is There a Link Between Nuclear and Cyber Deterrence?

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Cybercrime is at an all-time high as criminals are turning to technology to steal military or political secrets, attack infrastructure, or engage in the theft of corporate intellectual property. Digital identity fraud is rampant, and it seems like there is always some new way cyber criminals are hacking our data. It’s a very different type of crime that we’re dealing with here, and in response the strategy has shifted away from traditional policing. Cyber deterrence is taking center stage for its ability to dissuade or compel would-be attackers from taking that step and engaging in cybercrime.

The Threat of Cyber Attacks on Nuclear Power Facilities

The role that nuclear energy plays in the overall scheme of cybercrime is a frightening one to consider. If a hacker were to gain access to nuclear power plant operations or controls, they would be able to do untold amounts of damage to both the local economy and the security of the surrounding communities. It’s the stuff movies are made of, but the threat is real.

Power plants which leave themselves vulnerable to acts of cyber theft or sabotage could face serious, even catastrophic, consequences. A cyber attack that corrupts or otherwise alters a civil nuclear facility’s command and control system, potentially allowing for unauthorized access to or removal of nuclear or radioactive material, would pose a serious threat to the power plant, the neighboring community, and even the country at large.

Cyber espionage is also a concern due to the threat of sensitive nuclear information getting into the hands of terrorist organizations or criminals intent on using that information maliciously. That being said, the threat of cyber attacks and espionage is known and recognized by the industry, and numerous steps have been taken in the nuclear power industry to protect against such attacks.

Cyber Deterrence in the Nuclear Industry

The U.S. government has begun to really recognize the risks involved with cyber attacks. Recently, the Secretary of Defense announced an updated Cyber Strategy from the Pentagon, which takes a stronger stance on offensive cyber operations. It also acknowledged the need for a comprehensive cyber deterrence strategy. This takes a step in the right direction toward a thorough deterrence strategy which implements political, diplomatic, economic, police and military capabilities. The focus is not on defeating individual technologies, but rather deterring the actors themselves.

The leap from cybercrime to nuclear threat is a potential one, but there are built in deterrents just based around the level of scientific expertise required to make an impact. The real risk is when private companies are left to defend against state actors. Luckily, the private sector has already adopted practices that could be part of an overall deterrent strategy. Companies have already shown they mean business by joint activities with Europol and support of botnet takedowns. Both private companies and public entities have the responsibility to make cyber attacks not worth the risk for criminals, particularly when it comes to nuclear security.

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