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The Cyber Security Top Ten #cyber #pauto #automation #manufacturing

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According to Computing (UK) magazine, the number 10 issue in cyber security is cloud computing:
10. We should replace the word ‘cloud’ with ‘somebody else’s computer’, says security expert
Replacing all instances of the word “cloud” with “somebody else’s computer” might make organisations stop and think about the security implications of cloud computing.
That’s according to computer security expert Graham Cluley. He believes the “trendy” use of the word “cloud” has been responsible for a certain carelessness by organisations as they ship their data off to cloud providers without properly considering how sensitive data could be vulnerable if stored this way, especially if it isn’t encrypted.
“You need to encrypt your data. Nobody used to use the word cloud – we all used to say ‘internet’ but now it’s trendy to say cloud,” Cluley told Computing. “I’d like to suggest a new phrase so that every time we say cloud we say ‘somebody else’s computer’.”
Thinking about it in those terms, Cluley argued, would logically lead to IT professionals thinking a little harder about where and how they store data, especially if it is of a sensitive nature.
You can read the rest of the story at http://m.computing.co.uk/ctg/analysis/2317983/top-ten-cyber-security-stories-of-2013?goback=%2Egde_3045583_member_5815994292530880516#%21
But I don’t think it is as critical to the continuation of world civilization (yeah, there, I said it!) as a couple of other major issues.
The Aurora vulnerability gets my vote for the number one problem we face, because it is not just aimed at generators in electric utilities, but can destroy rotating machinery of all types in all industries.
What would happen if a major generator in one of the big hydro installations in the US or Canada was destroyed? We would be anywhere from two to four years getting that generator back on line, is what would happen. If that generator took down the grid as it imploded, there would be millions without power for months. Days, ok. A couple weeks, maybe. But months? We can’t cope with that.
What should we do? We need to recognize that this is serious and that it affects anyone with any rotating machinery, including the US Department of Defense, and deal with it, before somebody deals it to us.