From DOD Energy Blog: Time for a US Oil Change?

Navy refueling at speed

To grid heads no other incident did more to change our business than the great Northeast Blackout of 10 years ago; it's a big reason there's such a thing as the Smart Grid Security blog. But I'm cross-posting this from DOD Energy blog as it reflects on the singular most important energy event in some of our lifetimes. One which changed the nation, changed the global economy, and continues to reverberate 30 years after.

On the heals of last week's post on China surpassing the US to become the biggest importer, two recent articles ponder oil's place in our world, particularly in light of how it was used as a weapon against the US during the Arab-Israeli War.

The first, Does OPEC Still have the US over a Barrel? brings the events of those days back vividly. If you're old enough, this will conjure up a scary memory. If you're young enough, this may sound like a Tom Clancy (RIP) novel, but it was far too real for those managing the crisis in 1973:

“I’m sitting at my desk at the Pentagon,” recalls James Schlesinger, then secretary of defense, “and a cable comes in, and it reads: ‘In accordance with the orders of His Majesty, we are obliged to cut off all oil supplies to your 6th Fleet and to your forces in western Europe. Signed [Saudi oil minister] Zaki Yamani.’ ”

Oil and Natural Gas Co's became Primary Attack Targets Last Year

At least according to analysis from cyber security company Alert Logic. This detail and more is captured in a report just released by the US Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

According to authors Blake Clayton and Adam Segal:

Cyber attacks on energy companies are increasing in both frequency and sophistication, making them more difficult to detect and defend against. Cyber espionage is being carried out by foreign intelligence and defense agencies, even organized crime or freelance hackers.