Cybersecurity Breach at America's Largest Regulated Water & Wastewater Utility Company

Unauthorized Activity Detected in American Water Works' Systems

The biggest regulated water and wastewater utility firm in the United States, American Water Works, has reported a cybersecurity breach in its computer networks and systems. The New Jersey-based company revealed this information in a filing published on the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) website.

The company stated that it became aware of unauthorized activity within its computer networks and systems last Thursday, which was determined to be a cybersecurity incident. As soon as the company became aware of this activity, it activated its incident response protocols and engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to help with containment, mitigation, and investigation of the incident.

Company Takes Steps to Protect Systems and Data

American Water Works has taken and will continue to take measures to protect its systems and data. This includes disconnecting or deactivating certain systems. As of now, the company believes that none of its water or wastewater facilities or operations have been negatively affected by this incident. However, the company did mention that it is currently unable to predict the full impact of this incident. Despite this, the company does not anticipate the incident having a significant effect on its financial condition or operational results.

According to the company's website, American Water Works provides drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million people. It has regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations.

Rise in Foreign Hackers Targeting US Infrastructure

There has been a noticeable increase in foreign hackers targeting critical US infrastructure this year, ranging from transportation to food supply, health care, and communications. The director of the National Security Agency was quoted by NBC News on Sunday stating that an investigation was underway following a recent cyber incident. This involved Chinese hackers gaining access to at least three telecommunication companies: AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies.

A significant portion of America's critical infrastructure is owned by the private sector, making it vulnerable to ransomware attacks. The potential risk of a cyber event causing a part of the grid to go down remains a serious concern.

Bottom Line

As the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, the cybersecurity breach at American Water Works raises serious concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. With the increasing number of foreign hackers targeting US infrastructure, it is crucial to ensure that adequate cybersecurity measures are in place. What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you think enough is being done to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.