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Is Your Broadband Router the Weak Link in Your High-Tech Home?

 
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Last Post by Scalextrix 18 minutes ago
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Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 2479
13/09/2025 11:22 am  

Posted by: @scalextrix
↑

I suppose our ASHP will need to go on the general VLAN so the Mrs can set the heating schedule,

It's the UK Government who want to set your heating schedule...
as part of their Delivering a Smart and Secure Electricity System (SSES).

Turning off heat-pumps remotely is their No.1 target.
DESNZ are building the framework for the database which links together customer addresses, Smart Metering and your account with your Energy Supplier,
with advice from NCSC on cyber security and command-encryption.

But it's 3rd party agents who will sign up households and be responsible for crediting your account whenever your ASHP has been switched off for a few hours.

What could possibly go wrong? 🤔 

 

If you can think of any flaws, there's still time to submit a response to the current (3rd) stage of consultation.

There is also a live online discussion next week (Tue 16th, 14:30) where the DESNZ team leading the SSES Programe will respond to questions.
As I'm known to them, I received an invitation by email,
but I can't find a link to this session on their website.

If you want to take part, then email SSESconsultation@energysecurity.gov.uk and ask for an invitation!

You have to Register 24hrs ahead, for which you will be sent a (traceable/individual) link,
which is why I can't post mine here!


This post was modified 6 hours ago by Transparent

Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
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 Scalextrix
(@scalextrix)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 12 months ago
Posts: 83
13/09/2025 1:40 pm  

Posted by: @transparent
↑

What could possibly go wrong? 🤔 

Quite, yes it's a disaster waiting to happen and just extends the nationally sensitive equipment map.

Smart meters should never have had remote shutoff.

Personally speaking, they can send any commands they like, but they will get filtered.

P.S. I have left a consultation response, I doubt they will like it 😁


This post was modified 3 hours ago by Scalextrix

   
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Transparent
 Transparent
(@transparent)
Illustrious Member Moderator
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 2479
13/09/2025 4:19 pm  

Posted by: @scalextrix
↑

Smart meters should never have had remote shutoff

Erm... DESNZ isn't intending to use either the ALCS or the Messaging systems within our Smart Meters.

The SSES remote-control mechanism is to operate via the internet.
That's why I'm raising the issue in this topic about broadband.
Apologies... I should've stated that explicitly!

There are two reasons why the system needs access to your Smart Meter, but they've probably only thought of the first one:

1: to verify that there is a genuine reduction in household demand when the Heat-Pump OFF command is sent

2: to read the Randomised Offset to the Tariff Matrix, and thereby synchronise the OFF/ON commands with the time-periods for your particular meter.
That not only means the amount credited to your account is correct,
but also prevents surges on the grid when n-thousand heat-pumps are turned back on.

Imagine someone on Octopus Agile whose HP gets turned off for 2½ hours, and you'll begin to appreciate the logistical problems to be overcome.

 

Of course, most consumers won't understand how the system works anyway.

Those that do will hook up a battery which charges at cheap-rate,
and then runs the Heat-Pump when the SSES agent turns it off.
They'll easily pay for the battery with the credits accumulated on their electricity account.

The worst problem I can imagine is that the server gets hit with a DOS attack when all the Heat Pumps are off.

That'll leave the Agents unable to send commands to turn them back on,
and yet having to continue crediting their customers' accounts.

You don't even need to hack the servers or break into the encryption to create that havoc.

 


Save energy... recycle electrons!


   
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Toodles
 Toodles
(@toodles)
Illustrious Member Contributor
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 2081
13/09/2025 4:26 pm  

@transparent Just because it would be possible, doesn’t mean it won’t happen! Toodles.


Toodles, he heats his home with cold draughts and cooks his food with magnets.


   
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 Scalextrix
(@scalextrix)
Estimable Member Member
Joined: 12 months ago
Posts: 83
13/09/2025 4:38 pm  

Posted by: @transparent
↑

Erm... DESNZ isn't intending to use either the ALCS or the Messaging systems within our Smart Meters.

Sure I get it but I was going off topic, kinda, but not really.

The key point from my perspective is not placing critical national infrastructure inside consumers homes.

If a malicious actor can turn on/off large swathes of equipment, that could collapse the grid.

I don't see how adding heat pumps makes it any better, because of course it only makes it worse.

 


This post was modified 17 minutes ago by Scalextrix

   
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