The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has warned that the US electrical grid is vulnerable to cyber attacks due to weaknesses in processes, technology, as well as the actual physical environment.

The MIT report, titled “Future of the Electric Grid,” said “Millions of new communicating electronic devices will introduce attack vectors – paths that attackers can use to gain access to computer systems or other communicating equipment.” This would in turn lead to an increased likelihood of “intentional and accidental communications disruptions” including “loss of control over grid devices, loss of communications between grid entities or control centres or blackouts.”