Thompson Wants to Protect Power

We're usually critical of U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson, but last week in a column for the Washington, D.C. newspaper Roll Call, he made some good points. He said:

Electric power is not only America’s economic lifeblood, but an essential element of our nation’s security. Businesses, chemical plants, banks, refineries, hospitals, water systems, grocery stores and military facilities all rely on electricity to operate. Our electric grid, in turn, increasingly relies on computer-based operating systems. Herein lies a unique homeland security challenge — how to protect the electric grid from failing, as a result of either intentional or unintentional events.

Today’s electric grid is very similar to the system that existed in the early part of the 20th century, with one critical difference: Computers are in charge. Our grid is highly dependent on computer-based systems. These systems are used to monitor and control sensitive processes and physical functions. When they were originally created, they were closed to the outside. To increase efficiency and save money, operators began connecting these systems to corporate networks and the Internet. Unfortunately, these connections also expose these critical systems to potential attacks online. Specifically, our reliance on electric power and the vulnerability of our interconnected system makes the electric grid a prime target for an adversary who seeks to cause catastrophic harm to our country. In fact, there is some evidence, according to a recently released publication, that cyberspies have penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system. These malicious programs could do anything from briefly interrupting power delivery to destroying our nation’s large electric generating units.

Representative Thompson, as Chairman of Homeland Security, knows the threats to our electrical grid from foreign enemies. Such an attack not only turns out the lights, but it turns out the economy. It would also turn off Respond Mississippi...and we can't have that. We're glad to see he recognizes the importance of delivered power to our economy and hope he continues his efforts to ensure our electrical grid remains secure.