Jobs    Everything

Select a Metro Area

The Internet of Things is pretty hot right now because it delivers technology and devices that exist in the physical world yet are managed in the ethereal world of the Internet. Controlling physical devices with computers is not new. We’ve had Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for years. PLCs are used to control valves in pipelines, switches and many other logic devices used in the manufacturing process. In recent years, PLCs have been connected directly to computer networks to make programming and control easy and simple.

Stuxnet: OpenSource Weaponized Worm – See the Video

However, as you might imagine, this makes PLCs vulnerable to viruses that can modify their behavior. In 2010 the virus Stuxnet was discovered and after many thousands of man-hours, the purpose of Stuxnet was finally uncovered. It was found that Stuxnet’s purpose was to lie dormant in a host PC until that PC was connected to a particular type of PLC. The PLC that Stuxnet was developed to target were the make and model used to control centrifuges in Iranian nuclear labs. To this day, the source of Stuxnet is not known, but its effectiveness and complexity is without doubt the most sophisticated in current cybersecurity history.

Home Alone

Few will remember that Sony BMG placed a rootkit on newly released CDs in order to prevent the owners from copying the CD. If a manufacturer can consider such a devious control mechanism to manipulate DRM, imagine the possibilities when remote controlled devices are placed about your home.

Learn more

This month we’re proud to announce 2 IoT events, SFTA and WITI. Please visit the links in the newsletter for more info and registration.

Share This