At first glance, it seems sheer idiocy to use an open network like the
Internet to control critical matter-of-life-and-death public
infrastructure like power systems. What do you think?
Or do you think, it is possible to build ultra-reliable secure real-time
communication channels in the Internet? Maybe..
On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Dennis Glatting wrote:
>
>
> On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Keith Moore wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> > burning IP addresses into devices is a good way to give vendors the
> > ability to control those devices, monitor their usage, and to lock
> > their customers in to particular services. not my idea of a desirable
> > state.
> >
>
> It might also be a good way for script kiddies to efficiently scan the
> Internet looking for a particular manufacturer's device to exploit a
> discovered security flaw, such as turning off a stove's gas pilot and
> turning on all burners. If that doesn't sound realistic, how about a
> cracker inside a manufacturer's systems doing the same; or how about a
> terrorist?
>
> It is reasonable to assume that HVAC systems will someday soon be
> controlled over the Internet by a maintenance firm (video surveillance
> systems already are controlled and monitored over the Internet). It may
> become possible, for example, to raise building temperatures across the
> lower Manhattan area and shut down most financial centers, at least for a
> short while.
