China Hacked U.S. Weather Satellite System – and NOAA Said Nothing
Chinese hack U.S. weather systems, satellite network, Washington Post
“Hackers from China breached the federal weather network recently, forcing cybersecurity teams to seal off data vital to disaster planning, aviation, shipping and scores of other crucial uses, officials said. The intrusion occurred in late September but officials gave no indication that they had a problem until Oct. 20, according to three people familiar with the hack and the subsequent reaction by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA, which includes the National Weather Service. Even then, NOAA did not say its systems were compromised. Officials also said that the agency did not notify the proper authorities when it learned of the attack.”
– Major Problem With NWS Satellite Data Continues
– NOAA Has IT Security Issues – Just Like NASA Does, earlier post
Let’s be clear. There is nothing in the news report to indicate that satellites or other space assets were involved. I’m not saying they weren’t, just that so far there is no indication this was anything more than a typical network intrusion. The best response to such an intrusion is for local network managers to carefully analyze the sequence of events and correct the vulnerability without degrading usability. Often the problem comes down to someone not having the funds for upgrades to commercial software. Security is not enhanced by the typical NASA responses like forcing users to memorize 30-character passwords changed daily or “Data at Rest” on laptops that never leave the lab.
The last thing we need is a bunch of congressmen running around like unguided missiles claiming that we need their help.
“When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.” Oh you know the Congress is going to have a hearing or hearings about this.
“The last thing we need is a bunch of congressmen running around like unguided missiles claiming that we need their help.”
As history as alas shown.
So… you are asserting that 1.2 billion Chinese men, women and children act in lockstep with exactly the same goals?
And that inviting China to join the ISS program would reveal the “secrets” of world domination?
Actually I have worked with people from China for more than a decade. In general I have found them to be well educated, hard working, honest, and not significantly different from Americans. I’m not sure why you have formed these particular opinions.
You mean the ideology expressed by Deng Xio-ping, “It is glorious to be rich?” You mean the current government that has allowed pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong to go on for months with minimal restrictions? You mean the country that is our largest overseas trading partner? How would the increased communication and understanding permitted by collaboration on the ISS be contrary to American interests in preventing future conflict?
no i think Space4US refers to this China: http://online.wsj.com/artic…
It should be noted that the _only_ suggestion that this was a cyber attack from China is the unsubstantiated word of (soon to be retired) Congressman Frank Wolf. How would he be privy to such information? This is the same Frank Wolf who had a Chinese graduate student arrested by the FBI and thrown in jail on his unsubstantiated word, which turned out to be completely false.