Investigation into Pacific Gas & Electric’s Security Shows Weaknesses

Investigation into Pacific Gas & Electric’s Security Shows Weaknesses

Investigation into Pacific Gas & Electric’s Security Shows WeaknessesThe NBC Bay Area Investigative Unit observed and tested Pacific Gas & Electric’s (PG&E) during more than a dozen unannounced trips to nine different substations. There they found potential holes in the company’s enhanced security network just a year and a half after gunmen attacked one substation in South San Jose, causing it to shut down for almost a month.

Substations are typically situated in remote areas with chain link fences and barbed wire. Transformers at these stations convert high voltage electricity from power plants and distribution lines to lower-voltage power suitable for homes and businesses.

On April 16, 2013, attackers fired 100 rifle rounds into 17 transformers. It lasted 19 minutes and had the potential to wipe the power out of most of Silicon Valley.

In the aftermath of the attack, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren called on PG&E to address their security systems. PG&E responded by promising to spend $100 million over the course of three years to increase security, including enhanced camera technology, increased lighting, and upgraded fencing to obstruct views to critical components. The company also promised to provide onsite security guards 24 hours a day.

Per the investigation, security guards were found at seven of the nine sites, while one site was unguarded and had an unlocked gate. The investigation included insight from a military veteran trained to make threat assessments. He found the security at some of the sites to be nonexistent.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

  • The Need for a Comprehensive Strategy Addressing Cybersecurity and Quantum Technology

    The Need for a Comprehensive Strategy Addressing Cybersecurity and Quantum Technology

    Over the past two years, the Biden Administration has taken a series of steps centered on quantum and cybersecurity. Read Now

  • IoT Saves the Day

    IoT Saves the Day

    Today, creating a safe environment across schools, hotels, office buildings, housing complexes and other facilities has become a necessity. There are so many dangers lurking in buildings of all sizes and shapes from fire hazards, vaping issues, chemical/air quality issues, intruders and so much more. Read Now

  • One Pane, Less Pain

    One Pane, Less Pain

    Just because a solution is built on an open-standards platform doesn’t ensure that all the vendors’ systems will work together as promised. Some features may not be supported, or not supported to their fullest potential. Read Now

  • Revamping Wrigley Field

    Revamping Wrigley Field

    When talking about baseball in the United States, it’s hard not to think of the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. With a history spanning more than 100 years, the Chicago Cubs are one of the most recognized teams in professional sports. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • Camden Door Controls ‘SER” Surface Boxes and Extension Rings

    Camden Door Controls ‘SER” Surface Boxes and Extension Rings

    Camden Door Controls has introduced new ‘SER” surface boxes and extension rings that provide a complete solution for new construction. In addition, they provide a simple and robust solution when replacing round wired and manual push plate switches with either Camden’s wired or wireless SureWave™ no-touch switches or Kinetic™ no-battery wireless switches. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3