New Delhi: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) admitted Wednesday to a malware attack on one of the computers in the Kudankualm Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), a day after the plant authorities had asserted that cyber attacks on its systems are not possible.
NPCIL, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Atomic Energy, however, added that the plant systems were not affected.
“Identification of malware in NPCIL system is correct. The matter was conveyed by CERT-In (Computer emergency response team) when it was noticed by them September 4, 2019,” NPCIL said in a statement.
The matter was investigated immediately by experts of the Department of Atomic Energy which revealed that the infected computer belonged to a user who was connected in the internet network used for administrative purposes.
“This is isolated from the critical internal network. The networks are being continuously monitored. Investigations also confirm that the plant systems are not affected,” the statement added.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant had allayed fears Tuesday of a cyber attack on its systems after reports emerged that it had become a victim.
KKNPP training superintendent and information officer R Ramdoss said reports in the social media about cyber attacks were false and clarified that the organizations and the other nuclear power plants’ control systems were ‘standalone’ and not connected to any cyber networks outside or the internet.
The KKNPP is an Indo-Russian joint venture and Units I and II of 1000 MWe capacity each and they have commenced commercial operations while Units III to VI are under construction.
PTI