American Water Works Hit by Cyberattack, Systems Shut Down

The American company American Water Works Co. Inc., which provides drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million people, has reported a cyber intrusion into its computer networks and systems. The attack was detected on October 3, after which the company immediately initiated measures to contain the threat.

In an effort to mitigate the damage, American Water Works shut down or deactivated several of its systems, and an investigation commenced. Despite the severity of the situation, company representatives stated in a regulatory filing that there is currently no indication that the water supply and wastewater systems have been compromised. However, the full extent of the consequences remains uncertain.

This incident aligns with a concerning trend of increasing cyberattacks on U.S. water infrastructure. In recent months, American government officials and cybersecurity analysts have repeatedly warned of a growing number of hacking attempts targeting the nation’s water systems. Earlier this year, U.S. authorities accused the China-backed group Volt Typhoon of infiltrating the water infrastructure.

President Biden’s administration has urged states to heighten vigilance regarding cyberattacks on water supply systems, citing ongoing threats from adversaries linked to the governments of Iran and China. These warnings have gained particular relevance in light of the recent incident involving American Water Works.

Despite the gravity of the situation, American Water Works does not anticipate that the incident will impact the company’s operations or financial standing.