US cyber defence agency warns of water attacks after Minnesota targeted

US cyber defence agency warns of a significant increase in hackers targeting water and wastewater systems after Minnesota was targeted. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), hackers have been targeting automated computers that control systems, known as PLCs, and changing passwords to lock out operators. Boil water notices have been issued and systems have had to be operated manually as a result. The CISA's warning comes after Minnesota's state IT agency said more than 30 community water systems in the state faced a "coordinated cyberattack" earlier this week.

US investigators are looking into whether the incident may have been carried out by Iran, according to media reports, but cautioned this assessment was preliminary. The BBC contacted the CISA, which would not confirm the reports about Iran's possible connection to the Minnesota attacks. The US has 152,000 public drinking water systems and more than 16,000 wastewater treatment systems, which the CISA states are vulnerable to threats. Minnesota faced attacks on 26 and 27 July, when equipment was remotely monitored and controlled. Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) stated that while investigators confirmed "malicious activity involving a system's technology," not all communities were impacted by a disruption of services.