Current:Home > NewsAmerican Water cyberattack renews focus on protecting critical infrastructure-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
American Water cyberattack renews focus on protecting critical infrastructure
View Date:2024-12-23 22:55:22
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A cyberattack continues to affect the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, renewing a focus on the importance of protecting critical infrastructure sites.
New Jersey-based American Water paused billing to customers as it announced the cyberattack on Monday. It said it became aware of the unauthorized activity on Thursday and immediately took protective steps, including shutting down certain systems. Water services have been unaffected as protections remained in place Wednesday.
The company — which provides drinking water and sewer services to more than 14 million people in 14 states and on 18 military installations — said it does not believe its facilities or operations were impacted by the attack, although staffers were working “around the clock” to investigate its nature and scope.
The attack against American Water appears to be an “IT focused attack” more than an operational one, according to Jack Danahy, vice president of strategy and innovation at Colchester, Vt.-based NuHarbor Security in Vermont.
“People haven’t traditionally thought of pieces of infrastructure, such as water and wastewater service as being prone to threats, but incidents like this shows how quickly problems could occur,” Danahy said. “As billing and other services have become more accessible to customers in recent years, they’re now exposed to more types of risks and concerns that were not previously there.”
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency urged water systems to take immediate actions this year to protect the nation’s drinking water. About 70% of utilities inspected by federal officials recently violated standards meant to prevent breaches or other intrusions, the EPA said.
veryGood! (88512)
Related
- Chris Evans Shares Thoughts on Starting a Family With Wife Alba Baptista
- New initiative aims to recover hidden history of enslaved African Americans
- A World War II warship will dock in three US cities and you can explore it. Here's how and where
- Ex-police union boss gets 2 years in prison for $600,000 theft
- Early Black Friday Deals: 70% Off Apple, Dyson, Tarte, Barefoot Dreams, Le Creuset & More + Free Shipping
- Family of man who died in bedbug-infested cell in Georgia jail reaches settlement with county
- Fired New Mexico State basketball coach says he was made the scapegoat for toxic culture
- Olivia Munn Reflects on Her 20-Month Postpartum Journey After Wearing Pre-Baby Shorts
- How Ben Affleck Really Feels About His and Jennifer Lopez’s Movie Gigli Today
- Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger reveals alibi claim in new court filing
Ranking
- Wreck of Navy destroyer USS Edsall known as 'the dancing mouse' found 80 years after sinking
- Watch: Sisters find kitten at Indy 500, welcome him home to cat family
- 'Cash over country': Navy sailors arrested, accused of passing US military info to China
- AP-Week in Pictures: July 28 - Aug. 3, 2023
- Best fits for Corbin Burnes: 6 teams that could match up with Cy Young winner
- Fall in Love with These 14 Heart-Stopping Gifts in This Ultimate Heartstopper Fan Guide
- Taylor Swift's Longtime Truck Driver Reacts to Life-Changing $100,000 Bonuses
- A World War II warship will dock in three US cities and you can explore it. Here's how and where
Recommendation
-
What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday
-
At Yemeni prosthetics clinic, the patients keep coming even though the war has slowed
-
Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger reveals alibi claim in new court filing
-
The life and death spirals of social networks
-
Song Jae-lim, Moon Embracing the Sun Actor, Dead at 39
-
Global food prices rise after Russia ends grain deal and India restricts rice exports
-
Upgrade your home theater with these TV deals on LG, Samsung, Fire TV and more
-
Actor Mark Margolis, murderous drug kingpin on ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ dies at 83