Cybersecurity

Russians Are Suspects in Nuclear Site Hackings, Sources Say

  • Attacks could pave way to disrupt U.S. electric grid
  • Kansas site is among those trying to eject intruders

Russians Said to Be Suspects in Nuclear Site Hackings

Hackers working for a foreign government recently breached at least a dozen U.S. power plants, including the Wolf Creek nuclear facility in Kansas, according to current and former U.S. officials, sparking concerns the attackers were searching for vulnerabilities in the electrical grid.

The intruders could be positioning themselves to eventually disrupt the nation’s power supply, warned the officials, who noted that a general alert was distributed to utilities a week ago. Adding to those concerns, hackers recently infiltrated an unidentified company that makes control systems for equipment used in the power industry, an attack that officials believe may be related.