Researchers at the US National Science Foundation (NSF) have discovered a major cybersecurity incident that has resulted in the shutdown of several telescopes. The Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, the Gemini South telescope in Chile, and smaller telescopes in Chile’s Cerro Tololo mountains have been taken offline as a precautionary measure.
The incident was first detected on August 1 when suspicious activity was discovered in the computer systems of NSF’s NOIRLab, the organization that operates these telescopes. Although the exact nature of the danger to the telescopes remains unclear, the incident serves as a reminder of the high costs associated with maintaining scientific research facilities. These facilities often have annual budgets that run into millions of dollars.
The longer the telescopes remain inaccessible, the greater the impact on the scientific community, not only in terms of finances but also in terms of lost data. Astronomical studies heavily rely on precise timing, and disruptions like this can potentially ruin entire research projects if critical observation windows are missed.
While this incident is one of the few ransomware breaches to occur on a science research facility, there have been past hacks on astronomical facilities. In 2022, for example, hackers breached the Atacama Large Millimeter Array Observatory in Chile, resulting in months of shutdown and significant financial losses.
Experts warn that attacks on scientific infrastructure are likely to increase in sophistication as projects continue to grow in size and complexity. This highlights the urgent need for enhanced funding for cybersecurity measures to protect valuable scientific resources.
As of now, the motive behind the recent NOIRLab incident remains unknown, and it is even possible that the attacker may not have been aware that they were targeting an observatory. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the affected telescopes.
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