US officials warn cyberattacks on water systems are increasing

File photo: This photo provided by the Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa shows the screen of a Unitronics device that was hacked in Aliquippa, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.WASHINGTON — Cyberattacks against water utilities across the country are becoming more frequent and more severe, the Environmental Protection Agency warned Monday as it issued an enforcement alert urging water systems to take immediate actions to protect the nation’s drinking water.

Attempts by private groups or individuals to get into a water provider’s network and take down or deface websites aren’t new. More recently, however, attackers haven’t just gone after websites, they’ve targeted utilities’ operations instead. Earlier this year, a Russian-linked “hacktivist” tried to disrupt operations at several Texas utilities.

The enforcement alert is meant to emphasize the seriousness of cyberthreats and inform utilities the EPA will continue its inspections and pursue civil or criminal penalties if they find serious problems. “Drinking water and wastewater systems are an attractive target for cyberattacks because they are a lifeline critical infrastructure sector but often lack the resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices,” Regan and Sullivan wrote in a March 18 letter to all 50 U.S. governors.

“Certainly, cybersecurity is part of that, but that’s never been their primary expertise. So, now you’re asking a water utility to develop this whole new sort of department” to handle cyberthreats, said Amy Hardberger, a water expert at Texas Tech University.Shuttered section of Highway 1 near Big Sur to reopen Friday

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

20 Of The Funniest Tweets About Married Life (May 14-20)Kelsey Borresen is a senior reporter at HuffPost Life, covering love, sex and relationships. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and lives in Los Angeles.
Source: HuffPostWomen - 🏆 27. / 68 Read more »

​​​​​FTSE 100 Keeps Hitting New Records, while Dow and Nasdaq 100 Continue to GainIndices begun the week well on Monday, and the FTSE 100 is poised to rejoin the fray at new record highs this morning.
Source: DailyFX - 🏆 305. / 63 Read more »

HCSO rescue teams pull at least 20 people, 20 pets from Channelview neighborhood'I lost everything. Everything's flooded,' a Channelview homeowner spoke to ABC13 as she tries to recover from the harsh floods this week.
Source: abc13houston - 🏆 255. / 63 Read more »

WNBA star Brittney Griner opens up about harrowing Russian detention in exclusive '20/20' special'I was just so scared for everything because there's so much unknown,' Griner told 'GMA' co-anchor Robin Roberts.
Source: ABC7NY - 🏆 592. / 51 Read more »

WNBA star Brittney Griner opens up about harrowing Russian detention in exclusive '20/20' special'I was just so scared for everything because there's so much unknown,' Griner told 'GMA' co-anchor Robin Roberts.
Source: 6abc - 🏆 250. / 63 Read more »

Brittney Griner ABC special: How to watch ‘Prisoner in Russia’ 20/20 interview freeWNBA star Brittney Griner sits down with ABC news' Robin Roberts to talk about her hellacious 9-month detainment in Russia. Here's how to watch the 20/20 special for free on multiple streaming services.
Source: clevelanddotcom - 🏆 301. / 63 Read more »