Cyberattacks hit water systems in 7 US states, with Iran eyed
Why it matters: More than 30 Minnesota systems were targeted, and some utilities shifted to manual operations to keep water service running.
A wave of cyberattacks hit water and wastewater systems in at least seven US states, disrupting some operations and intensifying scrutiny of threats to critical infrastructure. In Minnesota alone, more than 30 community water systems were targeted on July 26 and 27, prompting Minnesota IT Services to activate the state’s cyber response and bring in federal agencies. The FBI said some of the activity degraded water operations. One plant temporarily went offline, while other communities reported problems with automated controls or communications equipment and switched to manual or backup procedures. Federal agencies have warned that Iran-linked actors are targeting water and energy systems, though investigators are still examining who carried out the attacks.