Hanford Ramps Up Cybersecurity to Fight Potential Threats

RICHLAND, Wash. – Working to keep the Hanford Site’s computer network secure, EM Richland Operations Office (RL) contractor Mission Support Alliance (MSA) is combating new and more advanced cyberthreats through training exercises for workers, simulated network attacks, and 24-7 monitoring to identify possible risks.

“Cyberthreats are an ongoing challenge, and we need to stay ahead of those out to do harm,” said Corey Low, director of the RL security, emergency services, and information management division. “MSA continues to do a great job of educating workers and making sure they have the proper training to help identify potential threats and minimize network damage.”

Each month, MSA responds to an average of 45,000 attempted breaches of the Hanford computer network or firewalls. The team also handles more than 200 suspicious email reports, an average of 7 percent of which are potentially malicious and escalated for further evaluation.

This year, MSA acquired a cyber range, a virtual environment used for cyberwarfare training, which allows the team to run simulated attacks on the network to develop and test response procedures. These simulations appear real to end users and can be run safely without affecting the Hanford network.

Additionally, as the site’s industrial control systems, such as water, sewer and electrical services, become electronic and part of the Hanford network, MSA focuses on keeping them safe from potential cyberattacks.

“Computer hackers are coming up with new and innovative ways to breach networks,” said John Roach, MSA’s cybersecurity director. “This is why our team continues to play a proactive role in identifying different ways we can educate ourselves and the workforce about the importance of being safe online.”