Squirrel-sponsored cyberterrorism

Squirrel-sponsored cyber terrorism is the hypothesis of a possible and potential threat that squirrels may pose a greater riskto disrupting the internet and other associated online sites, infrastructure and servicesthan terrorists. Though a topic of commentators hoping to highlight the lighter side of the concern, squirrels have been historically consistent with their ability to cripple power grids in the US and other countries. Some commentators imply that the cyber security concerns are notable related to squirrels and acknowledge that the topic has brought a different and humorous side to the topic. Instances of power grid shutdowns caused by squirrels have been tabulated.
==Scope==
Electrical disruptions caused by squirrels are common and widespread. From Memorial Day to August 31, 2013, 50 power outages caused by squirrels (POCBS) were recorded. These incidents occurred in 24 states. Some of these cities effected by POCBS were Mason City, IA, Rock City, SC, and Portland, OR. Comparisons between the magnitude of the number of electrical grid shutdowns due to squirrels and actual terrorists has been highlighted in most media sources covering such events. Commentators often embellish descriptions of the squirrels responsible for interrupting electrical service as: "Squirrels mobilize, plot acts of cyber terrorism against humankind - And they're not acting alone."
Or "Squirrelus interruptus: 5 things shut down by squirrels - How can a squirrel bring a nuclear weapons site to its knees?" Electrical grids are not the only types of infrastructure at risk from squirrels, but nuclear sites have also been described as targets of squirrel attention. Ground squirrels have interfered with underground nuclear missile sites at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The squirrels have the ability to tunnel under fences, bypassing motion detectors. Squirrels that do take above ground routes onto the base trigger alarms. These squirrels set off thousands of false alarms each year. Like their arboreal relatives, they also have the ability to bite on electrical cables.
==Prevention==
Preventing damage by squirrels is complicated by the ability of squirrels to bypass plastic animal guards, gnaw through insulation and squeeze through small openings substations. Some utilities are beginning to prevent animals from compromising the power supply by the development of "automated switching capabilities" and other features designed to protect service disruptions caused by squirrels. The damage done by squirrels consists of their chewing through wire insulation and tunneling into electrical distribution facilities. The incident of shutting down the electrical power by a squirrel is typically fatal. It has been described as the squirrel being the conduit through which high voltages pass through to complete the circuit to the ground.
==Metrics==
The assessment of squirrel-caused grid disruption is monitored by The American Public Power Association (APPA) The APPA tracks the activities of "squirrels and their menacing habits to help utilities in the fight against squirrel-related outages." The APPA has developed a data tracker to analyze the pattern and timing of "squirrel attacks" on electrical power systems called "The Squirrel Index" (TSqI). The TSqI is a metric that quantifies the rate per 1,000 customers over a period of time. This metric has confirmed that the peak period of "squirrel activity" occurs during the warmer months. May, June, October and November are called "squirrel peaking months" (SqPMS) when most disruption occur.
==Analytics==
The successful crippling of power supplies is often blamed on the efforts of human terrorists with the intent to create damage. But "We've had power outages caused by squirrels in all 50 states," the "veteran security researcher" Space Rogue said during an interview. "That includes Hawaii, where they don't even have squirrels, but they do have chickens." Some cyber security experts believe that the infrastructure of a country, such as the powergrid, will be the target of terrorists.
==Specific cases==
A squirrel took out power to Nasdaq’s automated computer in 1987. The stock exchange went without power for 90 minutes. Twenty million trades were effected. Other commentators have noted that actual cyber attacks by human terrorists are much fewer than the disruption caused by squirrels.
"In a July 2015 comment, John C. Inglis, former deputy director, National Security Agency, said, "I don't think paralysis [of the electrical grid] is more likely by cyberattack than by natural disaster. And, frankly, the No. 1 threat experienced to date by the US electrical grid is squirrels." Along with squirrels, Baby-monitoring devices have also have been exposed as potential threats to cyber security. Another commentator is critical of the UK press writing to highlight "the ethnic struggle between Britain’s populations of red and grey squirrels, and the latter’s demonization (as immigrants and terrorists) and threatened eradication." In at least one circumstance, a physical attack by a squirrel has been characterized as a "terrorist squirrel." Species indentification has not been performed in the cyber attacks, but there are over 140 species of squirrels.
Similar concerns exist in Germany where in 2005, a "cyber squirrel" crippled the entire electrical grid in Elster for an hour. This squirrel was described as "a furry suicide bomber" ("pelzigen Selbstmordattentäter abgeschaltet worden").
Cris Thomas have mentioned that in the United States there were 6 deaths associated with squirrel activity.
==See also==
*Animal attacks
*Squirrel induced power outages in Pennsylvania
==References==
==External links==
*Graphical representation of Squirrel attacks vs. other terrorists
*APPA Squirrel Ticker
*Germans speaking of squirrels
Category:Squirrels
Category:Terrorism
Category:Humour