Cyberattacks on water utility companies now sparking warnings from US officials
Jan 2, 2024
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN)- Not many people expected a small water authority in western Pennsylvania to be victim to an international cybersecurity attack. Then it, along with several other water utilities, was struck by what federal authorities call Iranian-backed hackers targeting equipment because it was Israeli-made.
The late 2023 hacking incident is now sparking broader warnings.
Officials say the danger is hackers gaining control of automated equipment to shut down pumps that supply drinking water or contaminate drinking water by altering automated chemical treatments.
A number of states have since sought to step up scrutiny and mandate cybersecurity updates, but utilities say it’s hard to do so when upkeep of pipes and other water infrastructure is already underfunded.