America's water systems are getting hacked amid security gaps, experts say
Summary
U.S. public water systems in about a dozen states have been targeted by cyberattacks, with hackers exploiting weak security in industrial computers that control water functions. Officials say drinking water remains safe and utilities have quickly regained control, but experts warn these attacks reveal serious security weaknesses.Key Facts
- Cyberattacks hit water systems in states including Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and South Dakota.
- Hackers focus on programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which manage water pressure and treatment chemicals.
- Many PLCs are connected to the internet with weak or no passwords, making them easy targets.
- The FBI reported some systems lost remote control, forcing manual operation and causing issues like water pressure loss.
- Clayton County, Georgia, issued a boil-water advisory after an attack but restored service within hours.
- Officials suspect Iran-backed hackers may be behind some of the attacks.
- There is no federal rule requiring water utilities to report cyberattacks, so actual impacts may be larger than known.
- Experts warn hackers could cause serious physical damage, such as ruptured pipes or disrupting hospital water supplies.
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