Check out our SHQ Underground Critical Infrastructure Podcast, where we discuss sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and finance.
We look at Stuxnet (2010) and the WannaCry Attack
Stuxnet is a notorious computer worm that specifically targeted industrial control systems, with a primary focus on Iran’s nuclear program.
Impact: Stuxnet was designed to manipulate programmable logic controllers (PLCs) used in centrifuges for uranium enrichment. It caused physical damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, setting back their nuclear program.
Implications for Critical Infrastructure:
The Stuxnet incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, particularly industrial control systems, to sophisticated cyber-attacks.
Impact of WannaCry Ransomware Infrastructure
Global Reach
It had a widespread impact, infecting hundreds of thousands of computers in over 150 countries within a short time. Its ability to spread quickly was attributed to its use of the EternalBlue exploit, which was originally developed by the US National Security Agency (NSA).
Disruption of Critical Services:
The ransomware affected various sectors, including healthcare, finance, telecommunications, and logistics. Notably, several National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in the United Kingdom were heavily impacted, leading to disruptions in patient care and appointments.
Speakers
Tim Chambers
Senior Cyber Security Manager
Tim is based in Dubai and is the Senior Cyber Security Manager for the region. With 10+ years of industry experience, he has worked across various sectors, including Financial Services, Retail, & Insurance. Tim is a GIAC Defensible Security Architect (GDSA) and additionally holds the GIAC Continuous Monitoring Certification (GMON). These have been used to further expand and develop areas around Incident Response, Security Architecture and Infrastructure Planning, Vulnerability Management, and Threat Intelligence.
