For years , aerospace and defence companies have used 3D printers to aggregated - produce precision parts . Guided by digital blueprints , the printers make solid objects from layers of metal pulverization . A new written report , however , warns that hackers could reconfigure the machines ’ scene , turning them into volatile explosive .
According tothe reportjust published by the National Institute of Standard and Technology , “ the confidentiality , integrity , and handiness of info processed , stored , or transmitted on replica gimmick ” are more and more vulnerable to cyber - trespasser , since they are often “ connect to organizational mesh , have central processing unit that run vulgar commercial-grade operating system of rules , store information internally on nonvolatile repositing media , and may even have internal server or routers . ”
That means that , not only could datum be compromise , but hackers could interpose with the procedure of 3D printer , committing various type of sabotage — some of which could be deadly .
As the applied science news web site NextGovreports :
3D printing machine explosions are not notional . The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in May fined Massachusetts - based printing outfit Powderpart $ 64,000 after a blast impose third - degree burns on a party employee . Powderpart failed to contain known source of possible ignition , such as Ti and aluminum alloys , before the November 2013 incident , Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined .
“ The issue with powders is — because they are so fine — they could become fickle depending on the chemical composing , ” said Michael Chipley , a specialist in cyber - security for building control systems . “ You probably do n’t want to have a whole lot of free particulate in the line that can undergo unwritten combustions ” at a production works .
Chipley warn that a cyber - intruder could change the composing and proportions of the powdered metal used to print constituent — fundamentally turning the 3D printer into an explosive gimmick . Or , someone with malicious intent could use the same process to introduce cloth stresses .
A weaken printed part that makes it into an fabrication note , “ or even bad , out to a delivered ware or system would require a recall and replacement , ” he added . Chipley said hopefully timbre command processes would catch such error , but nonetheless the facility would have to be shut out down for repairs .
“ Like all interconnected system and devices , once a foothold has been established , then all nodes and other systems are at risk , ” Chipley said .
3D printingCyber SecurityHackersTechnology
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