Part 1 of 4 Parts
My last two posts concerned protecting the physical safety of nuclear power plants in the U.S. Those posts highlighted the danger of drone attacks which critics say are not getting enough attention. However, there are other areas of vulnerability such as possible cyber-attacks.
The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is the biggest nuclear power plant in India. It recently suffered a cyber attack on its administrative computers from a North Korean virus called Dtrack. Apparently, the purpose of the intrusion was the theft of technical files. The control computers that operate the reactors are protected so only the files on the administrative computers were accessible.
Researchers at Purdue University (PU) are working on cybersecurity issues for nuclear reactors. Their project involves demonstrating how a nuclear reactor can be equipped with all-digital, network connected instruments and controls while at the same time being safe from someone trying to hack those digital instruments and control systems.
Earlier this year, U.S. federal regulators granted PU a license to refit the Purdue University Reactor Number One with all digital controls. This research reactor has been operating since 1962. The Purdue reactor and many commercial reactors still operate with analog tubes and wires. These were the state-of-the art for process monitoring and control when they were installed in reactors but the technology for controlling safety systems in nuclear power systems has advanced enormously since then.
Nuclear power plants have been installing some digital systems for decades but there are many analog systems still being used to prevent the potential release of dangerous radioactive materials. In order to maintain cybersecurity, critical digital control systems are physically isolated from the Internet and other external networks. This practice is referred to as “air gapping,”
At PU, the researchers are deliberately wirelessly connecting the critical digital instrument and control systems to external networks. The researchers assume that their digital systems can be hacked and are working on how the safety of a nuclear reactor can be ensured in the face of potential cyberattacks. Clive Townsend is the PU reactor supervisor. He asked, “Can we detected that there was an intrusion and how does that affect the rest of the facility?”
The U.S. nuclear industry is eager to adopt digital technology to monitor and control of critical nuclear reactors systems, especially those concerned with reactor safety. The existing U.S. nuclear power reactor fleet is aging and few new nuclear reactors are being built to replace the old reactors. If nuclear power plants are going to contribute significantly to the U.S. generation of low carbon electricity, it will be necessary to extend the life of the old reactors. In view of this fact, the industry has been encouraging the adoption of digital systems for extending the life of old reactors. One of the advantages of digital controls is that it is easier to replace digital systems as the reactors age than to repair the old analog systems.
Please read Part 2