Over 30 Water Treatment Plants in Minnesota Hacked Simultaneously

US authorities are investigating a coordinated two-day cyberattack on the automated control systems of over 30 water treatment plants.

• The targets were operational technology (OT) control systems, not just office computers.
• The FBI, EPA, and CISA are collaborating with local authorities to assess the damage.
• The city of South St. Paul stated that some automated systems were affected, but drinking water remains safe.
• This incident occurred just days after an official warning about hacker groups targeting PLC devices.

[Insight: Water and electricity infrastructure are becoming new targets for hackers. Legacy systems connected to the internet without proper protection represent the biggest vulnerability.]