Government Fears TVA Is Vulnerable To Cyber Attack

By News Channel 11

Published: May 21, 2008

Congressional investigators say the Tennessee Valley Authority is vulnerable to cyber attacks that could interrupt its power production.
The Government Accountability Office says TVA has failed to adequately secure the controls systems that run its power plants from a cyber attack.
The report was prepared for a House subcommittee on emerging threats and cyber security. The panel is worried about the implications for the national power grid.
Wednesday in Washington, The GAO told TVA that it must take “sufficient steps” to secure its computer control systems or risk an intended or unintended cyber incident.
TVA officials testified before the panel in Washington that the agency has heeded the warnings and moved to correct the problems cited by the GAO.
TVA provides electricity to almost nine million people across the southeast, making it the nation’s largest public utility.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.