Physical Attacks
The threat of physical attacks to the electrical grid.
The National Research Council has stated that the power grid is “vulnerable to intelligent multi-site attacks by knowledgeable attackers intent on causing maximum physical damage to key components on a wide geographical scale.”
“The remote locations of many transmission power lines, substations, communications facilities, or natural gas supplies to generating facilities allow attackers to conduct their operations with little or no risk of detection.”
The National Academics of Science, Engineering and Medicine have highlighted specific points of vulnerability including generators, transmission substations, transmission lines and towers, system control centers, distribution components, and even key personnel.
Physical attack in California.
“Completely knocked out the substation.”
“If they were part of a larger group, it would be possible to hit multiple substations and theoretically bring down the U.S. grid.”
“It took utility workers 27 days to make repairs and bring the substation back to life."