Hackers 'could target electricity grid' via solar panel tech

The_Green_Hornet

Hackers could target electricity grids through security flaws in solar panel equipment, a Dutch researcher has said.

Willem Westerhof found 17 vulnerabilities in inverters, which convert electricity produced by the panels so it can be used on the grid.

He said internet-connected inverters could be targeted by hackers.

One manufacturer said that only "a small fraction" of its devices were affected.

After discovering vulnerabilities in devices produced by a range of manufacturers, Mr Westerhof carried out a field test near Amsterdam on two inverters made by SMA.

He told the BBC the test showed it would be possible for an attacker to remotely control the devices and alter the flow of power.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40861976

zeupater

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

Hackers could target electricity grids through security flaws in solar panel equipment, a Dutch researcher has said.

Willem Westerhof found 17 vulnerabilities in inverters, which convert electricity produced by the panels so it can be used on the grid.

He said internet-connected inverters could be targeted by hackers.

One manufacturer said that only "a small fraction" of its devices were affected.

After discovering vulnerabilities in devices produced by a range of manufacturers, Mr Westerhof carried out a field test near Amsterdam on two inverters made by SMA.

He told the BBC the test showed it would be possible for an attacker to remotely control the devices and alter the flow of power.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40861976

Hi

Yes, but .....

... like everything else, much of the issue is related to people taking their security seriously ... if nothing else, simply change the default access password(s) on whatever equipment has been bought ....

HTH
Z

michaels

Did anyone find any links as to which equipment was thought to be at risk?

I have now linked my solar edge inverter to my router via the supplied wifi module and now all wifi links to the router are running at 11mbs

pinnks

I have not looked at the tech specs of the SMA internet connection for some time but recall that it sends shed-loads on data down the wires to the WWW. Mine is hard-wired so no impact on my WLAN but you might find you are simply overloading the wifi connection with too much PV data, especially the solar edge system with its panel monitoring...

gefnew

Hi Micheals
Here is a link to sma with there response to the article.
http://en.sma-sunny.com/en/statement-on-cyber-security/
regards
gefnew