Infrastructure Archives

CrowdStrike strikes back over Delta Air Lines’ $500 million claim

August 5, 2024

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike on Sunday, Aug. 4, shot down Delta Air Lines’ claim that it should be financially responsible for a global outage that stranded half a million of its passengers in mid-July. The response comes after Delta hired high-powered attorney David Boies’ law firm looking for compensation from both Microsoft and CrowdStrike.

In a letter reported by Reuters and others, an attorney for CrowdStrike said it is “highly disappointed by Delta’s suggestion that CrowdStrike acted inappropriately and strongly rejects any allegation that it was grossly negligent or committed misconduct.”

The global outage, caused by a faulty update, forced Delta to cancel 6,000 flights over six days, which stranded more than half a million passengers.

“We got hit the hardest with recovery capabilities,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC on July 31. “People don’t realize Microsoft and CrowdStrike are the top two competitors around [cybersecurity] with each other. So they don’t necessarily partner [at] the same level that we need them to. So I think this is a call to the industry.”

CrowdStrike’s attorney said if Delta moves forward with a lawsuit, it “will have to explain to the public, its shareholders and ultimately a jury why CrowdStrike took responsibility for its actions — swiftly, transparently and constructively — while Delta did not.”

“We have to protect our shareholders, we have to protect our customers, our employees, for the damage,” Bastian told CNBC. “Not just for the cost, but the brand, the reputational damage and the physical challenges.”

“But we’re looking to make certain that we get compensated for what they cost us,” Bastian said. “Half a billion dollars in five days.”

For its part, CrowdStrike said its contracts limit compensation for these types of situations to the “single-digit millions.”

CrowdStrike also said its CEO personally reached out to Bastian to offer onsite assistance “but received no response.” The attorney said Delta will need to answer why they didn’t accept that help.

Bastian told CNBC all they offered was “free consulting advice” to assist with the issues.

Delta said the company spent tens of millions of dollars per day in compensation and hotels to travelers. The Department of Transportation opened an investigation into why Delta took so much longer than other airlines to get up and running.
Scientists say relentless floods in Vermont may be here to stay, here’s why

July 31, 2024
Vermont continued to experience historic flooding on Tuesday, July 30, and more rain is in the forecast for the rest of the week. However, scientists warn that while these scenes of devastation may be shocking, this type of catastrophic flooding could soon become the new normal.

Scientists said that climate change is fueling stronger and more saturated storms, and the United States’ East Coast may face some of the worst of the flooding. A recent study found that the East Coast’s precipitation is expected to rise by 52% by the end of the century.

“There’s more moisture available in the atmosphere as the climate warms,” National Weather Service meteorologist Peter Banacos said. “We’re seeing higher dew points. We’re seeing more moisture-laden air masses making it up into our latitude.”

At that rate, experts say that current infrastructure won’t keep up. Some reportedly fear that Vermont’s roads, bridges, culverts and wastewater facilities are in danger of being washed away with more flooding.

Vermont also has mostly older, smaller dams, designed to power textile mills, provide water storage and irrigate farms. However, as intense storms become a more common threat, these dams may no longer be useful. Heavy flooding in the state last year led to five dams failing and around 60 dams overtopping.

Meanwhile, state officials are in the middle of a multidecade project to strengthen infrastructure to endure the effects of climate change. Officials said that the goal is to replace and repair structures and are working on statewide floodplain standards.
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Sabotage strikes French telecom infrastructure during Paris Olympics

July 29, 2024

As the Paris Olympics unfold, France is tackling a series of sophisticated sabotage incidents that have severely disrupted critical infrastructure. Vandals targeted the nation’s telecommunications network, affecting over 11,000 customers and slicing through fiber optic cables in six regions.

While Paris remained untouched, the southern regions hosting Olympic events saw significant disruptions. French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs Marina Ferrari condemned these attacks as “cowardly and irresponsible.”

https://twitter.com/Marina_Ferrari/status/1817839721931829550

This telecommunications sabotage follows closely on the heels of arson attacks that paralyzed major railway lines, impacting approximately 800,000 travelers, including Olympic athletes. The rapid succession of these incidents has heightened security concerns, prompting an extensive investigation.

French authorities are scrutinizing possible connections to “ultra-left” activist groups known for similar past actions. Officials have already made one arrest.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin highlighted the precision and intent behind these attacks, suggesting they were well-coordinated. The government has responded by ramping up intelligence efforts to safeguard the ongoing Olympic Games and restore affected services swiftly.

https://twitter.com/GDarmanin/status/1817833452084838835

The full extent of the impact, particularly on Olympic activities, remains under assessment, but the swift restoration of services has been a priority. As France grapples with these challenges, the resilience of its infrastructure and the effectiveness of its response are under global scrutiny.
Biden against the clock to spend billions in clean energy funds before term ends

July 24, 2024
The Biden administration championed some of the largest spending bills in U.S. history, directing over a $1 trillion towards clean energy and infrastructure initiatives. However, fully using the allocated funds before the end of President Joe Biden’s term is likely going to become a nearly impossible task.

The substantial financial backing comes from four key legislative acts: the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Together, these laws have earmarked $1.1 trillion for climate, energy and infrastructure projects.

Despite this massive investment, only around 17% of the funds have been spent, according to a review by Politico. With just six months remaining in Biden’s presidency, questions are being raised about the future of the unspent billions. Those questions were amplified after Biden announced that he will not seek reelection.

Should former President Donald Trump take back the White House in November’s presidential election, there is a possibility that many of Biden’s clean energy initiatives could be undone. A new administration might halt project approvals. It could also seek to repeal the laws with a Republican-led Congress, potentially blocking the remaining funds permanently.

This scenario led to speculation about a possible rush to expedite spending on renewable energy projects. Already, there has been a notable uptick in expenditures. In the past month alone, approximately $6 billion has been allocated for such projects.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a $4.3 billion investment in community-driven climate action initiatives. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy revealed plans earlier in July to invest $1.7 billion in retooling auto factories for electric vehicle production.
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World’s largest urban wildlife crossing under construction in CA

July 9, 2024
Southern California’s 10-lane Highway 101, which sees approximately 400,000 vehicles daily, will soon be home to the largest urban wildlife crossing globally. Currently, portions of Highway 101 cut through Los Angeles, isolating wildlife from their natural habitat and impacting species survival.

Over the past two decades, at least 26 mountain lions have lost their lives attempting to cross the highway. To address this issue, California is constructing a wildlife walking corridor to allow animals to safely traverse this section of the highway.

Wildlife advocates emphasize that this crossing will not only prevent wildlife fatalities but also facilitate mountain lion breeding and their access to food.

“There are very few people who don’t get upset when they see a dead animal on the side of the road,” Beth Pratt, the regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, told CBS News. “So I think this is something that within a time when we agree on very little, we pretty much agree on wildlife crossings.”

These crossings are not unique to the United States. Across 43 states, there are more than 1,500 wildlife crossings. For instance, the wildlife bridge on Snoqualmie Pass near Seattle, Washington, allows coyotes, elk, deer, and other animals to safely move from one side of Interstate-90 to the other.

Internationally, Australia has also implemented similar solutions. On Christmas Island National Park, a bridge assists millions of red crabs during their migration to the ocean, preventing collisions with passing cars.

California’s upcoming Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will blend seamlessly into the natural habitat on both sides of Highway 101, providing animals with easier access to food, shelter and mates.

Upon completion in early 2026, it will claim the title of the world’s largest wildlife crossing.
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US identifies stealth Chinese cyber threat ‘prepositioning’ in critical infrastructure

June 3, 2024
The U.S. military’s new Cyber Command chief and head of the National Security Agency has sounded the alarm about a stealthy Chinese cyber threat to critical American infrastructure. Unlike typical cyber intrusions that steal data or military secrets, this threat sits dormant within civilian systems, primed for disruptive attacks.

Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, who spoke with The Wall Street Journal at a security conference in Singapore, detailed the activities of a Chinese hacking network known as Volt Typhoon. The group is suspected of positioning itself within key infrastructure networks to launch future attacks.

“China has penetrated systems and then use the capabilities inside those systems to live off the land using the technical capabilities of the systems they’ve compromised to reside there or not for the purpose of intelligence collection, but to assure access in things like critical infrastructure or within Guam, areas that we know have relevance from a military perspective, but also for pre-positioning for other activities,” Haugh said.

In January, U.S. officials identified and dismantled a network of routers across the U.S. and Guam that were vulnerable due to a lack of system updates. Since 2021, Volt Typhoon has accessed critical U.S. infrastructure in communications, utilities, transportation and government sectors. Microsoft highlighted this threat last year, noting its potential to disrupt essential services like water supplies, power grids and transportation systems.

Haugh emphasized the need to protect American networks and ensure U.S. military operational security, especially in regions like the Indo-Pacific, susceptible to Chinese cyber actions. Officials are particularly concerned that during conflicts, China could exploit its covert access to launch cyberattacks harming civilians.
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Are US bridges safe? Researchers hope to find answers after Baltimore collapse

May 29, 2024
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore want to know how safe the bridges across major ports of entry in the United States truly are. The assessment comes in the wake of the deadly Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore on March 26.

Engineering experts noted that the Baltimore bridge had minimal protection and had not been updated for decades. However, it’s still being debated whether or not added protections would have prevented the disaster.

Federal investigators said that the Dali cargo ship that collided with the Baltimore bridge sailed right past a protective concrete piling before slamming into the bridge.

In a news release on Wednesday, May 29, the team of students and faculty stated that they are looking at whether other port bridges could face a similar fate as the one in Baltimore. Researchers want their findings to be used to prioritize the necessary investments in bridge infrastructure.

In an effort to find vulnerabilities in bridges, researchers will build models to see whether a collision with a large vessel could dismantle other bridges. Some engineering experts say that as ships have gotten much bigger, bridges in the U.S. have failed to adapt. The study by Johns Hopkins University aims to figure out what needs to change in terms of updating bridges for the 21st century.

The team of researchers will release their preliminary findings at the end of summer and a complete assessment will be finished in about a year.

Federal officials are also determining whether other critical bridges in the region needed added pier protection.

Meanwhile, a report released on Wednesday by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce revealed the economic impacts of the Baltimore bridge collapse and called for increased investment in infrastructure.

Plans to replace the Francis Scotty Key Bridge are underway. The total cost is expected to be in the range of $2 billion and is scheduled to be finished by 2028.

Cleanup crews have refloated the Dali involved in the crash in Baltimore. Officials say that they expect to have the main channel at the Port of Baltimore open by June 10.
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EPA warns of cyber threats after finding major flaws in US water systems

May 22, 2024

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning Monday, May 20, about critical cybersecurity threats to community drinking water systems. These threats could have devastating effects on utilities and the people who rely on them for safe drinking water.

With just a few clicks, hackers could gain unauthorized access to water control systems, tamper with treatment processes and disrupt operations. Such actions could lead to contaminated water supplies, system failures and even ransom demands. State-sponsored hackers may also exploit these tactics for espionage purposes.

“Protecting our nation’s drinking water is a cornerstone of EPA’s mission, and we are committed to using every tool, including our enforcement authorities, to ensure that our nation’s drinking water is protected from cyberattacks,” EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe said. “EPA’s new enforcement alert is the latest step that the Biden-Harris Administration is taking to ensure communities understand the urgency and severity of cyberattacks and water systems are ready to address these serious threats to our nation’s public health.”

In 2021, hackers targeted water treatment plants in California and Florida. The first attack deleted programs used to treat drinking water, while the second attempted to poison the water supply by increasing lye levels. Water treatment officials stopped both attacks before they could cause harm.

Threats to the nation’s water systems escalated in both frequency and severity over the years, primarily driven by several nation-state hacker groups.

https://twitter.com/Cyberknow20/status/1748139362104361021

The “Cyber Army of Russia” has been implicated in numerous attacks on critical infrastructure, including an incident involving a water system in Muleshoe, Texas. In January, a “hacktivist” group released a video appearing to show manipulation of pump settings, resulting in the overflow of treatment tanks. City officials confirmed the event but noted that there were no disruptions to service.

According to the EPA, 70% of inspected water systems failed to meet the standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act since last year. These systems are vulnerable to cyber threats, putting the nation’s water supply at risk. Some of the vulnerabilities include default passwords and single logins that can be easily compromised, making them high-value targets for hackers.

The EPA is taking action to protect U.S. drinking water from cyber threats. Officials are increasing inspections, enforcing compliance and teaming up with state and industry partners to prevent attacks. The agency is also providing critical cybersecurity assistance to the water sector to keep the water safe.
Slow build up of EV chargers in the US may actually be a good thing

May 21, 2024
The United States is experiencing a shortage of electric vehicle (EV) chargers as the number of EVs on the roads continues to grow. While EV adoption has increased in recent years, the infrastructure to support these vehicles has not kept pace.

In 2016, there was one EV charger for every seven electric vehicles in the U.S. This ratio has now widened to one charger for every 26 EVs, more than double the global average of 11 cars per charger. This shortfall places the U.S. behind other countries such as Japan, France and China in terms of charging convenience.

Charging anxiety remains one of the primary barriers to widespread EV adoption. Recognizing this challenge, the Biden administration pledged $7.5 billion in 2021 to build more fast chargers. Despite this substantial investment, progress has been slow. Nearly three years later, the funds have resulted in the creation of only seven charging stations and 38 individual chargers.

However, there may be a silver lining in this gradual buildout. One significant issue in the U.S. is the lack of standardization, with different EVs using connectors that are not universally compatible with all chargers. This is set to change as many automakers have committed to making their vehicles compatible with Tesla’s Supercharger network.

This standardization could turn the slow expansion of charging infrastructure into an advantage, ensuring that by the time the new chargers are fully deployed, most EVs will be able to use them.

Officials at the International Council on Clean Transportation remain optimistic, believing that the U.S. is on the right path to meeting its charging infrastructure goals. They project that over the next eight years, sufficient infrastructure will be in place to meet the needs of American EV drivers.
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FBI director warns Chinese hackers waiting for ‘just the right moment’ to strike

April 19, 2024
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated U.S. infrastructure and are waiting for “just the right moment to deal a devastating blow.” Wray emphasized the immediate threats China poses to U.S. national and economic security during his speech at the Vanderbilt Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats on Thursday, April 18.

China is developing the “ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing,” Wray said. “Its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic.”

Wray detailed the Chinese Communist Party’s drive for power, which motivates their strategies including the theft of intellectual property and technologies crucial to future economies.

The director of the FBI said, “I’m talking about everything from indiscriminate hacking to economic espionage, to transnational repression, to fentanyl and the precursor chemicals that are coming out of China and ending up in our communities. What we’re facing today is the CCP throwing its whole government into undermining the security of the rule of law world.”

https://twitter.com/FederalTimes/status/1777124212131430857

“China-sponsored hackers pre-positioned for potential cyberattacks against U.S. oil and natural gas companies way back in 2011,” Wray told the audience at Vanderbilt University.

Nearly a year ago, Microsoft reported that the cyber group Volt Typhoon had been secretly accessing critical infrastructure organizations in the U.S. since mid-2021. Security researchers from Microsoft and Google have linked the Volt Typhoon group to China. The group targets sectors such as communications, utilities, transportation, and government to spy on and infiltrate those networks.

Earlier this week, a spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Volt Typhoon is not affiliated with China’s government but is a criminal ransomware group.
Related Stories

CrowdStrike strikes back over Delta Air Lines’ $500 million claim

Scientists say relentless floods in Vermont may be here to stay, here’s why

Sabotage strikes French telecom infrastructure during Paris Olympics

Biden against the clock to spend billions in clean energy funds before term ends

World’s largest urban wildlife crossing under construction in CA

US identifies stealth Chinese cyber threat ‘prepositioning’ in critical infrastructure

Are US bridges safe? Researchers hope to find answers after Baltimore collapse

EPA warns of cyber threats after finding major flaws in US water systems

Slow build up of EV chargers in the US may actually be a good thing

FBI director warns Chinese hackers waiting for ‘just the right moment’ to strike

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