Wireless Terrorism in Vancouver
The Register's Lewis Page today picks up on a report in the Vancouver Sun stating that terrorists are believed to be planning attacks in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics — using the city's planned Wi-Fi network.
According to the Vancouver Sun's Randy Shore, city police detective Mark Fenton says the potential ability to access transit systems, traffic signals, and gas and electric utility systems (which may soon be controlled via wireless) will make the wireless network a prime target.
"Putting those vital links on the same network, you are opening yourself up to terrorist attack, to hackers bringing those systems down," says Fenton.
Network security specialist O.J. Jonasson warns that "a concerted terrorist effort is a real concern. They could get in and open a dam and flood a town."
But Bruce Schneier is, to say the least, skeptical. "Clearly this guy has thought about the risks a lot, just not with any sense," he writes. "He's overestimating cyberterrorism. He's overestimating how important this one particular method of wireless Internet access is. He's overestimating how important the 2010 Winter Olympics is."