The Forbes exclusive story, Hackers Take Control Of Giant Construction Cranes by Thomas Brewster, made me follow @Forbes, @ForbesTech, and @iblametom.
Their politics really suck but stories like this one amplify the impact of IoT hacks by several orders of magnitude. Even if there was no hack. You can readily imagine the next big crane accident will be blamed on “IoT hackers.” You can even create a hacking handle to discuss industrial IoT hacking and take credit for accidents with no readily apparent cause.
Hackers will benefit more from the 82-page paper: A Security Analysis of Radio Remote Controllers for Industrial Applications by Jonathan Andersson, et al. that forms the basis for the Forbes story. (I have a copy of the pdf, just in case it disappears.) For a quick overview, see: Attacks Against Industrial Machines via Vulnerable Radio Remote Controllers: Security Analysis and Recommendations.
Just so you know, Hellfire missiles run $65K to $111K, each. Plus the delivery platform, support services, etc. A weapon limited to formal military forces.
Contrast that with IoT enabled construction equipment that is and no doubt is likely to remain vulnerable to hackers. Location is opportunistic but your cost pales when compared to the investment required for a Hellfire missile.
Beyond the cost advantage, hacking construction equipment makes the familiar suddenly unfamiliar, unfriendly, and perhaps even dangerous.
Construction hacking in your area? Tip Thomas Brewster Signal: +447837496820.