What is the Horus scenario

What is it?

The Horus scenario, is a scenario describing a large scale cyber attack targeting the vital electrical infrastructure. This scenario was both theoretically and practically proven to exist during the thesis of Willem Westerhof.

Why is it called Horus scenario?

Horus is an ancient Egyptian god, refered to in many different ways, which is in most cases related to the heavens or the sun. In mythology, one of his eyes stands for the sun, the other one of his eyes stands for the moon. The Horus scenario focuses on a cyber attack on PhotoVoltaic-installations (solar energy systems) and “recreates” the impact that a Solar eclipse has on the stability of the power grid, hence the reference to the old god.

What does this mean?

In essence, this means that a scenario was created and proven where a malicious hacker targets the electrical grid by focusing on PV-installations and succeeds in causing large scale (Nation-wide or even continental) power outages. If this attack is ever truly executed in the wild, it is expected to cost billions of euros and have a direct and severe impact on everybody’s lives.