Tag Archive for: agency

Dutch agency investigates cybersecurity of PV inverters after hack – pv magazine International

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Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands launched a probe after a hacker gained access to PV systems operated via a monitoring tool from China’s Solarman. A company spokesperson told pv magazine that the problem has since been resolved.

The state-run Dutch Radiocommunications Agency has launched an investigation into whether PV inverters pose a threat to the cybersecurity of the electricity system in the Netherlands, according to Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten.

In a document published on the Dutch parliament’s website, Jetten said that Internet of Things devices such as PV inverters can pose a risk to the electricity grid.

“To mitigate the risks of these devices, we focus on prevention, awareness, and additional legislation that makes products more resilient to digital attacks,” he said. “The Radiocommunications Agency will enter into discussions with the relevant manufacturers on how to improve cybersecurity.”

A Dutch hacker known as “Jelle Ursem” recently gained access to PV systems operated via a monitoring tool developed by Chinese manufacturer Solarman, according to Tweakers, a Dutch media outlet.

“The hacker was able to view the personal data of Dutch customers, create new customers and delete existing users,” reported Tweakers. “He was also able to find out how much electricity customers’ solar panels generate via GPS coordinates, and download, adjust and upload inverter firmware.”

The Solarman spokesperson said the problem has been resolved, without any real impact on the affected PV systems.

“We’ve contacted the Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure (DIVD), which is also involved in the matter, and explained a bit of facts, but unfortunately the talk was made in the last minutes before disclosure, so we don’t have enough time to review the whole process together,” the spokesperson told pv magazine. “We appreciated DIVD’s efforts to reduce security vulnerabilities and help address any possibile risks, and will communicate with them in order to improve cyber security of the energy sector.”

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If you can crack the code on the new 50 cent coin, the Australian cyber-spy agency wants to hear from you | Katherine Times

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A new 50 cent coin, released by the Royal Australian Mint today, celebrates the importance of code breaking and evolution of signals intelligence – and if you can work out what is written on the coin, the Australian cyber-spy agency wants to hear from you.

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US Agency Raises Questions about Cryptocurrency’s Decentralized System

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A report by a U.S. government research agency raises questions about the decentralized system of cryptocurrency technology.

The report comes as major cryptocurrencies suffer large drops in value and several companies supporting the technology experience business difficulties.

A cryptocurrency is a digital form of money that is not overseen by governments or banks. A network of computers records cryptocurrency activity between users. This activity is included in a “ledger,” or list, known as the blockchain.

Because the blockchain involves a network of computers across the world, the system is considered decentralized. The blockchain was designed this way with the goal of preventing a single person or group from controlling the system.

The new report on blockchain technology was recently published by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The agency seeks to carry out research and development activities for the Department of Defense.

The DARPA report was called “Are Blockchains Decentralized?” It was completed over the past year in cooperation with the U.S.-based computer security and research company Trail of Bits.

The study centered on blockchains for the two most popular cryptocurrencies, bitcoin and ethereum. The researchers looked at the current level of decentralization with those systems and examined possible security risks.

The report suggests these blockchain systems can be subject to “unintended centralities” that could result in security issues for cryptocurrency investors.

Trail of Bits said in a statement the research found that some people involved in the blockchain process can gain “undue, centralized control over the entire system.” Such control can happen when individuals “subvert the properties” of current rules related to the blockchain’s networking process.

More security risks

In addition, the company said that while the encryption system used in cryptocurrency activities is generally considered secure, “it does not guarantee security.” The term encrypt means to change information from one form to another in an effort to improve security and prevent attacks.

Specifically, Trail of Bits said blockchain traffic…

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Coast Guard cyber expert says ransomware attack on federal agency is more than likely

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The House Appropriations Committee released its draft Homeland Security funding bill. It would provide $615.8 million dollars to support the Transportation Security Administration’s pay equivalence initiative. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency may be in line for another big budget increase. The spending bill includes…

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  • The House Appropriations Committee released its draft Homeland Security funding bill. It would provide $615.8 million dollars to support the Transportation Security Administration’s pay equivalence initiative. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency may be in line for another big budget increase. The spending bill includes $2.9 billion for CISA. That’s $334 million above CISA’s 2022 budget and $417 million more than the Biden administration’s request for the agency. CISA has seen a steady increase in funding over the last several years as lawmakers respond to cyber threats to both government and the private sector. The bill will be considered in subcommittee today.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency is taking a hard look at its workforce requirements. FEMA is doing a deep dive analysis of its staffing needs so it can start to plan for what has become a nonstop operational tempo for the agency. FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell told the House Homeland Security Committee that the increase in the rate of natural disasters has put a strain on the agency’s workforce. “We are taking a look right now at taking a step back at now that we have more of this year-long operational tempo instead of the peak that we have traditionally seen during hurricane season, of what does the…

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