IT systems of the Sellafield nuclear facility in the UK have undergone hacker attacks. The investigation of The Guardian revealed that senior employees of the facility constantly hid information about the attacks. It is not known when the systems were first compromised, but the first violations were discovered back in 2015. Sellafield networks found a “sleeping” malicious software that can still be used for espionage.
Perhaps hackers gained access to the most confidential materials at the facility. The full amount of lost data and ongoing risks for systems remains unknown due to the untimely alert of regulators by Sellafield.
The investigation also showed that the facility suffered from deficiencies in the field of cybersecurity for a long time. In 2013, access to Sellafield servers was discovered from the outside, which caused serious concern. According to sources, Sellafield does not comply with high cybersecurity standards and is currently under enhanced control of regulators.
Sellafield on the map
Sellafield is one of the most dangerous nuclear facilities in the world, located on an area of 6 square kilometers on the coast of Cambria county. It contains the largest reserves of plutonium on the planet, as well as a large dump of nuclear waste formed as a result of weapons creation programs and decades of atomic energy production.
The facility is protected by armed police and stores extraordinary planning documents in the event of a foreign attack or disaster. The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) confirmed that Sellafield does not comply with cybersecurity standards but refused to comment on data leaks or statements about silence.