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Editorial 79
using more traditional tools. SDR can be used to capture almost any signal which can then be decoded or demodulated, modified and potentially re-transmitted. There are a variety of SDRs on the market but the USRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) is the tool of choice as it allows both reception and transmission which, when coupled with open source software such as GNU Radio, allows the creation of advanced radio systems.
“if we looked at our critical infrastructure in evolutionary terms, they would be on the endangered list
”
A technician working in the control centre of a water utility company
SDR technology can often be used to compromise the proprietary radio systems used to transmit data between sensor devices and controller units found in many critical systems including distributed process control and SCADA systems, many of which utilise RF modems that transmit data in the clear or otherwise feature relatively under-developed security controls. Any disruption to these services would have a catastrophic effect, effectively throttling supply, suspending productivity and holding us to ransom. In addition, it can be difficult to prevent, detect or trace wirelessly originated attacks, making it an attractive attack vector.
The only way of protecting these networks is to
ensure that systems have been designed, configured and deployed to resist over-the-air attacks. Whilst it may sound like an over- simplification, the basic principle of assuming that “the network is untrusted” will go a long way in helping to shape a robust security model where radio technology is employed. Notwithstanding this, critical networks should familiarise themselves with the radio systems that are in operation, carry out systematic risk assessments and initiate independent tests on a regular basis. Given the attractiveness of the targets, the rapidly lowering cost of entry, and the difficulty in preventing attacks, this is not something that lurks over the threat horizon but is very much a present problem. Greg Jones will be speaking about ‘SCADA, smart meters and enterprise control systems: The next threat’ in the Technical Theatre from 10.00-10.25 on Wednesday 24 April at Infosecurity Europe 2013. He can also be contacted at stand L60.
1. Zetter Kim, ‘Hoping to teach a lesson, researchers release exploits for Critical Infrastructure software’, WIRED,19 January, 2012
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/01/scada-exploits/
2 Keefe Marie, ‘Timeline: Critical Infrastructure Attacks Increase Steadily in Past Decade’,
CIO.com, 5 November 2012,
http://www.cio.com/article/720776/Timeline_Critical_Infrastruct ure_Attacks_Increase_Steadily_in_Past_Decade
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