US Warns of Hidden Radios in Foreign-Made Solar-Powered Highway Infrastructure
In a move to address growing concerns over the security of America's transportation infrastructure, US officials have issued an advisory warning that foreign-made solar-powered highway infrastructure may contain hidden radios embedded in inverters and batteries. According to the four-page security note reviewed by Reuters, undocumented cellular radios were discovered "in certain foreign-manufactured power inverters and BMS" (battery management systems). The advisory, which has not been previously reported, comes amid escalating government action over the presence of Chinese technology in America's transportation infrastructure.
The warning was issued late last month by the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. It is unclear where the products containing undocumented equipment had been imported, but officials are urging authorities to inventory inverters across the country to assess the extent of the issue. The advisory suggests that certain power inverters and battery management systems may contain undocumented cellular radios, raising fears of remote tampering and data theft.
The discovery of hidden radios in foreign-made solar-powered highway infrastructure is part of a broader effort by the US government to scrutinize its transportation infrastructure for potential security risks. As the country's reliance on technology continues to grow, so do concerns over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats. "This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention," said a spokesperson for the Federal Highway Administration, who wished to remain anonymous. "We are working closely with our international partners to ensure that all solar-powered highway infrastructure meets the highest standards of security and safety."
The use of foreign-made technology in America's transportation infrastructure has been a topic of debate in recent years. Critics argue that the reliance on Chinese technology poses significant security risks, while proponents claim that it is necessary due to cost and efficiency considerations. "We need to be careful about where we source our technology," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a cybersecurity expert at the University of California, Berkeley. "The potential for remote tampering and data theft is very real, and we need to take steps to mitigate these risks."
As the US government continues to investigate the extent of the issue, officials are urging authorities to take immediate action to inventory inverters across the country. The Federal Highway Administration has also announced plans to conduct a thorough review of all solar-powered highway infrastructure to identify potential security vulnerabilities.
In related news, the US Department of Transportation has announced plans to establish a new task force dedicated to addressing cybersecurity threats in transportation infrastructure. The task force will be responsible for identifying and mitigating potential security risks, as well as developing guidelines for the secure use of technology in transportation systems.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the US government is taking steps to address growing concerns over the security of America's transportation infrastructure. Whether these efforts will be enough to mitigate the risks posed by hidden radios in foreign-made solar-powered highway infrastructure remains to be seen.
This story was compiled from reports by Slashdot and Slashdot.
