Hackers Regularly Probe Maine Water Utilities, Officials Say
The FBI said attackers changed settings and passwords on internet-facing systems, weakening operators’ ability to monitor and control equipment.
- The FBI and EPA warned that "malicious cyber actors" are targeting internet-facing computers at water utilities across seven states since July 27, causing service disruptions including loss of water pressure in Minnesota and Michigan.
- Connecting water control equipment to the internet creates security avenues for attackers, prompting the FBI to advise utilities to disconnect Programmable Logic Controllers from public-facing networks to prevent unauthorized access.
- Disruptions to water service threaten hospitals and fire response capabilities. "No water is no hospital in two to four hours," said Joshua Corman, executive-in-residence for public safety at the Institute for Security and Technology, warning of cascading infrastructure failures.
- Many of the nation's 50,000 public water systems lack funds and personnel for security upgrades, with federal pass-through drinking water money set to plummet from $12 million to $4 million next year.
- Local utilities struggle to balance aging pipe repairs against mandatory cybersecurity improvements, according to Ed Molleo, executive director of the Maine Water Utilities Association, leaving ratepayers to fund both emergency physical work and digital defenses.
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Quebec City and Ottawa are investigating recent cyber attacks on drinking water plants. In the United States, the FBI is investigating dozens of attacks.
Lewiston Sun Journal
Hackers regularly probe Maine water utilities, officials say
Funding shortages are forcing some systems to prioritize emergency repairs over digital security.
Hackers are targeting US water systems. Here's what that means.
Water utilities in at least seven states have reported cyberattacks to the FBI.d3sign/Getty ImagesAt least seven states have reported cyberattacks on water systems.The FBI has said hackers have remotely accessed devices and impacted water operations.Cybersecurity experts say hackers can limit a water utility's ability to monitor and control its system.Government officials are warning about a wave of cyberattacks on water utilities in the US.At l…
US water facilities targeted by 'malicious cyber actors' - who's...
Despite Trump's efforts to blame Tim Walz and Minnesota, officials suspect Iran behind attacks on US infrastructure. Late last week, federal authorities issued a stern warning saying "malicious cyber actors" were targeting water and wastewater facilities in at least seven states across the US. Minnesota appeared to be the hardest hit with 30 of its water systems hit by cyber-attacks, leading to disruptions in the state's water supply. The proble…
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