The smart grid will need high levels of security -- when it gets built
1 min read
The CEO roundtable at this year's electronica exhibition tackled the question of the smart grid. The panellists, in general, talked at a very high level about the issues and how semiconductors could, seemingly, provide the answer to all the problems.
While much of the talk was about energy efficiency, one interesting aspect of smart technology was referenced by Freescale's new ceo Gregg Lowe – security.
"I can't understate the security aspects. It's like attacks on websites; it's one thing if your computer goes down; it'll be another if the grid goes down. Companies with networking and encryption abilities will play an important role."
Is he right? That's hard to know until we actually have a smart grid. But if history tells us anything, it's that someone will always try to find a way to infiltrate a supposedly secure system.
We've recently seen how Superstorm Sandy brought New York City to a standstill; taking out the power system would be equally problematic.
And a recent transformer explosion in Munich left 450,000 houses without power, as well as the city's underground system and all its traffic lights. For an hour or so, Munich was brought to a halt – and that was with a known issue.