Cyber attacks on nuclear systems could lead to 'inadvertent' missile launches

NUCLEAR WEAPONS SYSTEMS are becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, a report has warned, which could lead to the 'inadvertent' nuclear launches.

The 'Cybersecurity of Nuclear Weapons Systems: Threats, Vulnerabilities and Consequences' report, put together by think-tank Chatham House, warns that the likelihood of attempted cyber attacks on nuclear weapons systems is "relatively high and increasing", but notes that the potentially-devastating problem has so-far received "scant attention".

The think-tank this partly on the failure to keep up with fast-moving advances, lack of skilled staff and the slowness of institutional change. 

"Nuclear weapons systems were developed before the advancement of computer technology and little consideration was given to potential cyber vulnerabilities. As a result, the current nuclear strategy often overlooks the widespread use of digital technology in nuclear systems," the study reads.

"The likelihood of attempted cyber-attacks on nuclear weapons systems is relatively high and increasing from advanced persistent threats from states and non-state groups."

As an example of what is possible, Chatham House points to a Washington Post report published in March 2017 that said the US had infiltrated parts of North Korea's missile systems and caused test failures. 

"Recent cases of cyber attacks indicate that nuclear weapons systems could also be subject to interference, hacking and sabotage through the use of malware or viruses, which could infect digital components of a system at any time," the research paper said.