The U.S. government has warned of a possible attack by advanced hackers on critical infrastructure.
The CISA called on critical infrastructure organizations, “especially Energy Sector organizations,” to implement a series of recommendations to detect and block the cyber weapon known as Pipedream.
The CISA said the hackers’ malicious software could affect a type of device known as a programmable logic controllers made by Schneider Electric and OMRON.
Programmable logic controllers or PLCs are embedded in so many plants and factories that any failure can have dire consequences, including shutdowns, power outages, chemical leaks, or even explosions.
The controllers are common across a variety of industries, but Robert Lee, head of cybersecurity firm Dragos, said investigators believed the hackers’ intended targets were liquefied natural gas and electric facilities.
The joint report was released by the CISA along with the Energy Department, the National Security Agency and the FBI.
The sources for this piece include an article in Reuters.