| Recurring |
unknown |
The articles do not provide specific information about a software failure incident happening again at either one specific organization or multiple organizations. Therefore, the information to answer this question is 'unknown.' |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
operation |
(a) The software failure incident mentioned in the articles is primarily related to the operation phase rather than the design phase. The incident was a result of a ransomware attack on Queensland power firm CS Energy's thermal coal plants, which denied workers access to critical data and email, ultimately almost shutting down power to three million homes [122214]. This failure was due to the operation of the system being compromised by the cyber attack, highlighting the importance of operational security measures to prevent such incidents.
(b) The articles do not provide specific information about a software failure incident related to the design phase, such as issues introduced during system development or updates. The focus of the incident discussed is more on the operational aspects, particularly the impact of the ransomware attack on the operation of the power plants and the potential consequences for the nation's critical infrastructure. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident reported in the article is primarily due to contributing factors that originate from within the system. The incident involved a ransomware attack on Queensland power firm CS Energy's thermal coal plants, which almost shut down power to three million homes. The attack bypassed CS Energy's internal corporate systems to access the generators, disrupting the circulation of electricity into the grid [122214]. Additionally, the article mentions that the hackers used various forms of hacking techniques, including social engineering and phishing attacks, to gain access to networks and critical data within the system [122214].
(b) outside_system: The software failure incident does not seem to be primarily caused by contributing factors originating from outside the system. The focus of the incident is on the internal vulnerabilities and the attack carried out by Chinese government hackers on the Queensland power firm's systems. The article does not highlight external factors as the main cause of the failure [122214]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily attributed to non-human actions, specifically a cyber attack orchestrated by Chinese government hackers targeting the Queensland power firm CS Energy. The attack involved ransomware that almost shut down power to three million homes by denying workers access to critical data and email [122214]. The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber attacks and the potential consequences of under-investment in hacking defenses.
(b) The articles also mention human actions contributing to the software failure incident, particularly the lack of investment by private companies in beefing up cybersecurity controls on their networks. Nigel Phair, the director of UNSW Institute for Cyber Security, emphasized that most critical infrastructure owner operators in the private sector do not see the return on investment in enhancing cybersecurity measures, viewing it as a cost rather than a priority [122214]. This lack of proactive action by private companies has prompted the Australian government to introduce new laws granting unprecedented powers in the face of cyber attacks and holding company directors personally responsible for cybersecurity breaches. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily related to a cyber attack on the Queensland power firm CS Energy, which almost shut down power to three million homes. The attack was a ransomware attack launched by Chinese government hackers on CS Energy's two thermal coal plants in Queensland. The attack denied workers access to critical data and email, and it almost shut down power to a significant number of homes [122214].
(b) The software failure incident is attributed to a cyber attack, specifically a ransomware attack, which targeted CS Energy's systems. The attack bypassed CS Energy's internal corporate systems to access the generators that circulate electricity into the grid. This incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber attacks and the potential consequences of such attacks on essential services like power supply [122214]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is malicious in nature. It involved Chinese government hackers launching a ransomware attack on CS Energy's thermal coal plants in Queensland, targeting critical infrastructure with the intent to harm the system and potentially disrupt power supply to millions of homes [122214]. The attack was described as a "sustained hack" and a "sophisticated attack" carried out by state-sponsored hackers with the capability to cause significant damage [122214].
The incident highlighted the vulnerability of Australia's critical infrastructure to cyber attacks orchestrated by foreign state actors, particularly China, and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to defend against such malicious activities [122214]. The government responded by introducing new laws to give unprecedented powers in the face of cyber attacks and hold company directors personally responsible for cybersecurity breaches [122214]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
(a) The intent of the software failure incident was due to poor decisions made in terms of under-investment in hacking defenses by the Australian government and private corporations. The articles highlight that Australia had years of under-investment in hacking defenses, leaving the government and private corporations almost defenseless against cyber attacks [122214]. Additionally, it is mentioned that most critical infrastructure owner operators in Australia, which are primarily in the private sector, failed to invest in beefing up cybersecurity controls on their networks because they saw it as a cost rather than a necessary investment [122214].
(b) The software failure incident was also influenced by accidental decisions or unintended consequences. For example, the ransomware attack on the Queensland power firm CS Energy was described as almost shutting down power to three million homes, indicating the unintended consequences of the attack [122214]. Additionally, the incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure companies to cyber attacks, emphasizing the accidental consequences of not adequately protecting against such threats [122214]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident reported in the articles is primarily related to development incompetence. The incident involved a ransomware attack on Queensland power firm CS Energy's thermal coal plants, which almost shut down power to three million homes [122214]. The attack was attributed to Chinese government hackers who targeted the power firm, denying workers access to critical data and email. The hackers were described as well-organized, technically adept, and sponsored by the state, with a capability to switch off Australia's power grid [122214]. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure due to under-investment in hacking defenses, leaving the government and private corporations almost defenseless [122214].
(b) The software failure incident was not reported to be accidental but rather a deliberate cyber attack orchestrated by Chinese government hackers. The attack was described as a sustained ransomware attack on CS Energy's thermal coal plants, indicating a targeted and intentional effort to disrupt the power supply [122214]. The incident underscored the need for urgent reforms to enhance Australia's cyber defense capabilities in the face of hostile nations like China and Russia [122214]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident reported in Article 122214 was temporary. The incident involved a ransomware attack on Queensland power firm CS Energy's thermal coal plants, which almost shut down power to three million homes. The attack denied workers access to critical data and email, and it came within minutes of bypassing internal corporate systems to access the generators that circulate electricity into the grid. A last-ditch plan to separate control operations from the main network saved the plant from a prolonged outage, indicating that the failure was temporary [122214]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article can be categorized as a crash. The incident involved a ransomware attack on CS Energy's thermal coal plants in Queensland, which almost shut down power to three million homes. The attack bypassed internal corporate systems and targeted the generators that circulate electricity into the grid, potentially causing a complete blackout. The incident led to a situation where the system was on the verge of losing its state and failing to perform its intended function of providing electricity [Article 122214].
(b) omission: The software failure incident can also be categorized as an omission. The attack on CS Energy's plants denied workers access to critical data and email, indicating that the system omitted to perform its intended functions at that instance by blocking access to necessary information [Article 122214].
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not align with a timing failure as there is no indication in the article that the system performed its intended functions too late or too early [Article 122214].
(d) value: The software failure incident does not align with a value failure as there is no indication in the article that the system performed its intended functions incorrectly [Article 122214].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not align with a byzantine failure as there is no mention of inconsistent responses or interactions within the system [Article 122214].
(f) other: The software failure incident can also be described as a potential security breach or vulnerability. The incident involved a ransomware attack by Chinese hackers on critical infrastructure, highlighting a significant security flaw in the system that allowed unauthorized access and potential disruption of essential services [Article 122214]. |