US Water System May Be Vulnerable to Cyberattack by China, Russia and Iran

US Water System May Be , Vulnerable to Cyberattack, by China, Russia and Iran.

CNBC reports that the United States water system has been the target of a series of cyberattacks over the past few years.

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In response, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been forced to issue an alert warning that 70% of water systems do not comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

According to the EPA, some have “alarming cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” including unchanged default passwords and former employees who retain access to vital systems. In February, the FBI issued a warning to Congress that Chinese hackers have embedded themselves into the U.S. cyber infrastructure.

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Those hackers have targeted water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other vital infrastructure.

Those hackers have targeted water treatment plants, the electrical grid, transportation systems and other vital infrastructure.

Water is among the least mature in terms of security, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.

Stuart Madnick, an MIT professor of engineering systems and co-founder of Cybersecurity at MIT Sloan, warns that an attack that shuts off water to the population is the main concern.

We have demonstrated in our lab how operations, such as a water plant, could be shut down not just for hours or days, but for weeks, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.

Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter to governors stressing the urgency of the threat.

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Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter to governors stressing the urgency of the threat.

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CNBC reports that budgets, outdated infrastructure and an overall reluctance to take action may prevent necessary fixes from being made before a serious attack.