Quote:
Originally Posted by blacksmoke
Can somebody explain why these control systems have to be online? I understand remote controls, but isn't there some other possible way for a company or the government to monitor things from afar?
|
The long journey toward this state is based much on the presumption of labor cost reduction. It's achieved (the cost reduction) basically because no one wants to taste the other side of the blade - the investment necessary to proactively secure & monitor the systems. Whether it's a lock & dam, or just that the utility company can now have 1 person driving around to scan & read your meter (rather than fence-jumpers doing a visual), the backwash comes later as systems aren't maintained, exploits are developed, etc.
"Geez, I just saved a bunch of blue-collar labor hours. Why would I want to hire a really kick-ass IT security group & flush that money away?"
Philosophically, no different than cutting the force ("billions saved") and then, later, lamenting "Gee I wish I had some really savvy self-sufficient guys to go help that group throw that tyrant out of their country."
TINSTAAFL