A new HuffPost preparedness piece is warning that cyberattacks on U.S. water systems are becoming a more serious concern after recent attacks hit utilities in multiple states. The warning follows a coordinated cyberattack on more than 30 municipal water systems in Minnesota and a federal alert from the FBI and EPA about hackers targeting internet-facing control systems used by water and wastewater utilities. In some cases, attackers changed passwords or network settings, locking operators out of key systems and forcing utilities to switch to manual operations. The incidents are raising concern because attacks on water infrastructure can quickly move from a digital problem to a real-world disruption involving pressure, service, safety, and public trust.
Why This Matters:
Water systems rely on digital controls most households never see, but when those systems are targeted, the impact can reach communities fast. A cyberattack can affect pressure, monitoring, treatment, service reliability, and the ability of utilities to respond quickly. For households, it is another reminder that safe water should not depend on the grid, the internet, or a utility system working perfectly. Having backup water and reliable filtration in place gives families an added layer of protection when the systems they rely on are disrupted.
Read the full article here.
Source: HuffPost
By: Caroline Bologna
