Critical Infrastructure Security, Threat Management, Network Security

Cyberattack fells German iron plant

A German iron plant experienced a cyberattack that caused physical damage, according to a report on Wednesday from a German federal agency.

The incursion was achieved via spear-fishing and social engineering aimed at an office network at the plant. The attackers subsequently accessed the plant's production network and were able to manipulate a furnace to prevent it from shutting down, resulting in "massive damage."

This strike is a rare instance of a government acknowledging physical damage from a cyberstrike. One precedent is November 2010's attack on Iran's centrifuges, believed to have originated from a joint U.S. and Israel campaign dubbed Stuxnet.

Robert M. Lee, a co-founder at security firm Dragos Security, described the technical skills of the attackers as "very advanced," owing to their detailed technical knowledge of the industrial control systems.

An In-Depth Guide to Network Security

Get essential knowledge and practical strategies to fortify your network security.

Get daily email updates

SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news

By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You can skip this ad in 5 seconds