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A cybersecurity consultant has discovered a vulnerability in Europe’s electric grid that could be exploited by hackers to cause widespread power outages. Using a laptop and smartphone, the consultant was able to bypass firewalls in solar panels and gain access to a significant amount of power. This vulnerability is a growing concern for utilities and governments, as the number of cyberattacks on energy infrastructure continues to rise.
The consultant, Vangelis Stykas, was able to access the controls of the solar panels and could have potentially turned them off, causing a drastic fluctuation in the power supply. This could lead to cascading grid failures across the continent, which could have serious consequences for the entire population.
The exponential growth of rooftop solar systems means there are millions of connection points to the grid, creating a massive vulnerability that hackers could exploit. The International Energy Agency has reported a doubling of cyberattacks on utilities worldwide in the past two years, and the European Union has seen a significant increase in attacks on energy infrastructure.
The potential consequences of a successful cyberattack on Europe’s electric grid are significant. It could disrupt daily life, cause economic damage, and even pose a threat to national security. This vulnerability highlights the need for increased cybersecurity measures in the energy sector and the importance of addressing potential risks before they are exploited by malicious actors.