Vulnerabilities in the system are cited by Iran’s cyber warfare leaders
Elma, NY – EMPact America calls on Congress to pass the SHIELD ACT (HR 668), introduced by Congressman Trent Franks, which would address vulnerabilities in our electric grid. The bill notes that the vulnerabilities in our electric grid not only leave us susceptible to widespread and long lasting outages as a result of solar storms, but provide a prime target for electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack. The Congressional EMP Commission has warned that Iran’s doctrine for information warfare and cyber attack is not limited to computer viruses, but includes nuclear EMP attack as an option. Iranian military writings openly describe making a nuclear EMP attack to eliminate the United States as an actor on the world stage. Reza Kahlili (pseudonym), a former CIA operative who infiltrated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, warns that Iran has discussed striking the US power grid because its vulnerabilities make it an easy target for effecting widespread chaos and human suffering.
Dr. Peter Vincent Pry, EMP expert and President of grid-security focused not-for-profit EMPact America, said “We have known for years that our grid is vulnerable, and yet despite this, little has been done to harden the grid, which makes it a prime target for attack. This new information highlights the extreme urgency for taking action to address these vulnerabilities sooner rather than later, and the first and most important step is passing the SHIELD ACT.”
Our power grid is both more sophisticated and more vulnerable than at any point in history. As virtually every critical infrastructure from transportation, water delivery and sewage treatment, communications, banking, and food delivery and storage are dependent on the grid, widespread grid failure would result in mass disruptions. Kahlili noted that Iran’s leadership has identified the US power grid as the most desirable target because of the cascading effect of a prolonged power outage.
Gholam Reza Jalali, who leads the Revolutionary Guard’s Cyber Warfare Unit, has pledged retaliation for last year’s Stuxnet computer virus which damaged Iran’s nuclear program and a nuclear reactor that is a key part of Iran’s electric power grid. A similar virus, named Stars, was reported earlier this week by Jalali who once again blamed the US and Israel, prompting his call for revenge.
Pry, who advised three Congressional Commissions, concluded, “We must act now. Our failure to act gives our enemies an advantage that we can little afford. Taking action to protect the grid now will prevent mass catastrophe and permanent disruption of our way of life. We don’t have any time to waste.”
EMPact America is a bi-partisan not-for-profit advocacy organization focused on grid security.
For more information visit www.empactamerica.org
