A coordinated cyberattack targeted operational technology at more than 30 community water systems in at least 7 states, including Minnesota, on Sunday, July 26, and Monday, July 27. The attack, which affected water or wastewater utility companies, degraded water operations in some areas.

Local Impact

In Minnesota, one water plant temporarily went offline, while other communities reported problems with automated controls or communications equipment. Workers switched to manual operations or used backup procedures to keep essential services running.

The FBI has said that the attack affected water or wastewater utility companies in seven states, with some of that activity degrading water operations. The incident raises concerns about the vulnerability of local utilities to cyberattacks, particularly smaller communities with limited resources.

National Implications

The United States has close to 170,000 drinking water and wastewater systems, many of which now connect physical equipment to internet-enabled technology. This remote access can help utilities manage equipment, but it also provides a potential route for attackers to gain access to vital controls.

CISA has warned that Iranian-affiliated hackers were targeting internet-exposed programmable logic controllers, which help control machinery and other equipment at water systems and critical infrastructure facilities.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.