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Public warning systems vulnerable to hacks, expert says

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — University of North Carolina-Charlotte professor Bill Chu, an expert in cyber security, was not surprised by the hack in Dallas, Texas Friday that triggered more than 100 emergency sirens for 90 minutes, causing residents to panic.

There are similar systems in the Charlotte area that are vulnerable to hackers.

"It's probably something relatively easy to pull off," he said.

His students are also well-versed in cyberthreats and he said they’ve uncovered vulnerabilities that, if exploited, could endanger the public or cause financial loss.

Chu, who also teaches good ethical behavior, said UNCC notifies the city and county of the issues they find; but said they aren't easy to fix.

"It sometimes takes years to fix them because of the cost involved, and sometimes there's now viable fix or just costs way too much," Chu said.

Sirens around Charlotte, like the one in Huntersville, are located within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant.

Some residents said a false alarm could spell disaster.

"When something does happen, they don't understand it, whether it's real or not," resident Jon Hopkins said.

Chu said more emergency systems are being connected to the internet, but he said they are often times easier to hack than a personal phone or computer.

"There are lots of things that thrust on to the market that hasn't gone through that hardening process," Chu said.

Duke Energy will be testing the sirens in the Huntersville area on Wednesday at 11:50 a.m.

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