At first glance, it seems sheer idiocy to use an open network like the
Internet to control critical matter-of-life-and-death public
infrastructure like power systems. What do you think?
Or do you think, it is possible to build ultra-reliable secure real-time
communication channels in the Internet? Maybe..
On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Dennis Glatting wrote:
On Thu, 3 Aug 2000, Keith Moore wrote:
[snip]
burning IP addresses into devices is a good way to give vendors the
ability to control those devices, monitor their usage, and to lock
their customers in to particular services. not my idea of a desirable
state.
It might also be a good way for script kiddies to efficiently scan the
Internet looking for a particular manufacturer's device to exploit a
discovered security flaw, such as turning off a stove's gas pilot and
turning on all burners. If that doesn't sound realistic, how about a
cracker inside a manufacturer's systems doing the same; or how about a
terrorist?
It is reasonable to assume that HVAC systems will someday soon be
controlled over the Internet by a maintenance firm (video surveillance
systems already are controlled and monitored over the Internet). It may
become possible, for example, to raise building temperatures across the
lower Manhattan area and shut down most financial centers, at least for a
short while.