UN Watchdog Warns of Increase in Cyberattacks on Nuclear Facilities

Computer systems at nuclear facilities all over the world face cyberattacks on a daily basis, says a UN nuclear watchdog group while addressing a conference on Monday.

According to Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), “reports of actual or attempted cyberattacks are now virtually a daily occurrence.

Last year alone, there were cases of random malware-based attacks at nuclear power plants and of such facilities being specifically targeted.” Amano was speaking to the International Conference on Computer Security in a Nuclear World. 

He further added: “staff responsible for nuclear security should know how to repel cyber-attacks and to limit the damage if systems are actually penetrated. The IAEA is doing what it can to help governments, organizations, and individuals adapt to evolving technology-driven threats from skilled cyber adversaries.”

The recent findings by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveal that there has been an increase in cyber attacks on developing countries where hackers are exploiting security flaws more often. The group urged to take necessary security measures to stop cyberattacks on Nuclear facilities. 

Previous Cyber Attacks on Nuclear facilities:

In November 2012, UN Nuclear Energy server was hacked by Israeli hackers

In February 2013, U.S. Energy department was under cyberattack by Chinese hackers. The department includes the National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains nuclear weapons.

In December 2013, South Korean nuclear operator was hacked and blueprints along with officials’ personal data was leaked 

In February 2014, report said South Korea will develop Stuxnet-like cyber weapons to destroy North Korean nuclear facilities

In December 2014, FBI warned officials that Iran may conduct cyber attacks on U.S Defence and Energy Sector

In March 2015, Computers at South Korean Nuke Reactors were hacked where hackers threatened to leak top secret data in case officials failed to pay ransom 

In March 2015, South Korea blamed North Korea for hacking its Nuclear plants.