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The real threat to global critical infrastructure is not enemy states or organisations but squirrels.
Cris Thomas has been tracking power cuts caused by animals since 2013.
Squirrels, birds, rats and snakes have been responsible for more than 1,700 power cuts affecting nearly 5 million people, he told a security conference.
He explained that by tracking these issues, he was seeking to dispel the hype around cyber-attacks.
His Cyber Squirrel 1 project was set up to counteract what he called the "ludicrousness of cyber-war claims by people at high levels in government and industry", he told the audience at the Shmoocon security conference in Washington.
Squirrels topped the list with 879 "attacks", followed by:
- birds - 434
- snakes - 83
- raccoons - 72
- rats - 36
- martens - 22
- frogs - three
He concludes that the damage done by real cyber-attacks - Stuxnet's destruction of Iranian uranium enrichment centrifuges and disruption to Ukrainian power plants being the most high profile - was tiny compared to the "cyber-threat" posed by animals.
Also at Arstechnica
(Score: 2) by inertnet on Friday January 20 2017, @01:20PM
Many many years ago when I was in primary school, I had a pet squirrel. After more than 50 years I still have fond memories of the fun I had with it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 20 2017, @02:46PM
It's called "gerbil-ing" for a reason, doh!
(Score: 4, Informative) by DannyB on Friday January 20 2017, @03:26PM
Judge: on what basis?
Defendant: Threefold your honor
1. I deny having ever molested a chipmunk, in the public park, alley ways, under bridges, on balconies, or stopped at traffic lights.
2. I deny having ever molested any other kind of animal at any other location not listed in item 1.
3. I impugn the reliability of the accuser; how can you trust a witness who is unable to tell the difference between a chipmunk and a squirrel?
Judge: what is the difference between a chipmunk and a squirrel?
Defendant: the primary difference is that a squirrel has a larger, softer tail that feels really good against your skin. I submit these Google Images of chipmunks into evidence. I also submit these photos of squirrels but request that they be sealed or partially redacted because they are unsuitable for publication.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.