The Inside Story

Interview with Jonathan Koomey

Much of computer technology's progress has occurred because of developments described by Moore's law, which says that the number of transistors that can be placed on an integrated circuit doubles about every two years.

In today's era of battery-powered mobile devices, computing is being driven as much by energy efficiency as by performance. Research by Stanford University associate professor Jonathan Koomey discovered that since the 1940s, computers' energy efficiency has doubled about every year and a half. The Inside Story interviewed Koomey to learn more about his research and his predictions for the future.

Read Koomey's article from IEEE Annals of the History of Computing »

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Doing the Tango with Mobile Video Communications

Mobile video communications, which companies like Tango have started offering, could be the next big wireless technology. To learn more, The Inside Story interviewed Tango's CTO.

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Critical Issues in Industrial-Control-System Security

Industrial-control systems run operations in factories, nuclear-power stations, utility plants, and similar facilities. These facilities are complex and important, and attacks on them could cause safety hazards. The Stuxnet worm gained worldwide attention recently because it was the first malware to target industrial-control systems. Joe Weiss, an expert in industrial-control-system security and founder of Applied Control Solutions consultancy, addresses issues related to his field of expertise. In doing so, he focuses on what can be done to enhance industrial-control-system security.

Joe Weiss discusses industrial-control-system security

In the first part of a two-part interview, Joe discusses Stuxnet and how it relates to industrial control security.

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Part 2

In the second part of a two-part interview, Joe discusses lessons learned from Stuxnet.

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About Joe Weiss

Joe Weiss is recognized as an expert in industrial-control-system security. His professional experience includes more than 35 years in the field of industrial instrumentation controls and automation, and more than 10 years in ICS cybersecurity. He is managing partner at Applied Control Solutions, which provides consulting services relating to the optimization and security of ICSs. Weiss holds two patents, has testified before the US Congress numerous times, and has made presentations at many conferences throughout the world. He has won numerous awards from organizations such as the Electric Power Research Institute and the International Society of Automation. He is author of the book "Protecting Industrial Control Systems from Electronic Threats."

Stuxnet under the Microscope

Industrial-control systems run operations in facilities such as factories, nuclear-power generation stations, and utility plants. Given the importance of these facilities and the potential hazards they represent, the safety of their operations are critical. The complex Stuxnet worm gained worldwide attention recently because it was the first malware to target industrial-control systems and because it was so effectively designed. Researchers have been analyzing how Stuxnet works and what it means for the future. Security expert Gary McGraw, chief technology officer with software-security consulting firm Cigital, explains how Stuxnet works and what its long-term ramifications are. George Washington University associate professor David Alan Grier's article discusses the importance of the potential organized engineering effort behind Stuxnet's design. And a Computer magazine news brief takes an early look at Stuxnet, before experts uncovered many of its details.

Gary McGraw Explains Stuxnet

Gary McGraw, CTO of Cigital, sits down with senior news editor Lee Garber to explain the Stuxnet worm.

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Sabotage!

The idea that an organized team of computer scientists might have created a major worm comes at an uneasy time for engineers.

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Worm Targets Industrial-Plant Operations

Stuxnet has struck industrial-control systems in numerous countries around the world. Computer takes a closer look at the worm.

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