water supply would have a devastating impact on every aspect of our lives and businesses. water supply would present equal devastation, and would be most difficult to track. .
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There are approximately 155,000 water systems and 16,000 waste water facilities in operation in the U.S. today (EPA.gov). The fact these independent systems are so widely dispersed geographically, one would think it would create a challenge for a cyber-attack. However, many of these systems are linked together by the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition or SCADA. A SCADA System will monitor and control a facility. Its purpose is too remotely monitor a range of processes in real-time, and perform an analysis of the data. In the 1960's when it was introduced, it was an application consisting primarily of simple input and output devices. With advances in technology SCADA has developed into complex systems of advanced software, high performance microprocessors with wireless capabilities. SCADA increases productivity, efficiency, reliability and stability. Its abilities help identify problem areas before they become critical, and the more complex SCADA systems are widely used in water management. .
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Though the SCADA system reduces interruption in service, it has much vulnerability. SCADA systems were never intended for public use. Today many of these systems are controlled via the Internet, which creates a vulnerability to infiltration. According to Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of NSA and the U.S. Cyber Command, the threat of a cyber-attack has grown exponentially, and from 2009 to 2011 "the number of attacks on computer systems that run American infrastructure grew by a factor of 17 (Hack attack, 2012). New communication methods, such as satellite and cellular have made it easier to incorporate smaller facilities, which in turn multiply the potential for a cyber-attack (EPA.gov). .
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Segments of the intelligence community and some experts indicate al Qaeda is more interested in physical terrorism.