Security researchers have warned that Smart Grid, a modernized electricity network, which can be dubbed as "energy-carrying Internet," is vulnerable to the attacks similar to cyberattacks that are pretty common on Internet nowadays.

Smart Grid, also known as Smart Power Grid, delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using digital technology to save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability. It features automated meters, two-way communication and advanced sensors. Smart Grids are promoted by many governments as a way of addressing energy independence or global warming issues.

Security researchers has highlighted how an attacker can attach Smart Grid to "take command and control of the [advanced meter infrastructure] allowing for the en masse manipulation of service to homes and businesses."

According to a report published in the National Journal last year, Katie Fehrenbacher noted on GigaOM that Chinese hackers a hand in two blackouts of the U. S. power grid. According to the report, "Tim Bennett, the former president of the Cyber Security Industry Alliance . said that U. S. intelligence officials have told him that [China's People's Liberation Army] in 2003 gained access to a network that controlled electric power systems serving the northeastern United States. . "They said that, with confidence, it had been traced back to the PLA." These officials believe that the intrusion may have precipitated the largest blackout in North American history, which occurred in August of that year. A 9,300-square-mile area, touching Michigan, Ohio, New York, and parts of Canada, lost power; an estimated 50 million people were affected."

Security researchers have advised the administrators to proceed slowly and cautiously, despite the nation has $4.5 billion ready to inject into smart-grid investment. However, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission stated at a smart grid policy meeting last week, that security is the highest priority.

Why is a smarter power grid so vulnerable?

The security researchers have explained that if a power grid is to be operated by networks based on Internet Protocol, hackers have develop or hackers can develop the malicious programs and tools to take such networks down.