In the face of alarming cyberattacks targeting water systems in drought-stricken areas of the Western United States, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are demanding answers and concrete action from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent future incidents.
Russia’s Sandworm Hackers Strike Again
In January, the water system in Muleshoe, Texas, was targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack attributed to Sandworm, a hacking group linked to Russia’s GRU spy agency. The hack resulted in tens of thousands of gallons of water overflowing from the town’s water tower.
The attack is not an isolated incident. In 2018, Sandworm launched hacks against the Olympic Games in South Korea and Ukraine’s electrical grid. Another group connected to Sandworm, the Cyber Army of Russia Reborn, has claimed responsibility for the hack in Texas.
Urgent Call for Action
Concerned about the potential for widespread disruption to critical water resources, Representatives Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Pat Fallon (R-Texas) have penned a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding a briefing on the department’s response to the attack.
“Water facilities are central to our nation’s critical infrastructure, and our water resources face many limitations,” Gallego and Fallon wrote. “Should a hack similar to the Texas incident occur in Arizona or other states that may lack sufficient water supply, it could disrupt operations across the region with devastating effects.”
DHS Response and Questions
The lawmakers have submitted a series of questions to Secretary Mayorkas, including:
- What actions is DHS taking to respond to the hack against the Muleshoe water system?
- What steps are being implemented to protect the nation’s water facilities and other critical infrastructure from disruption?
- What lessons has DHS learned from previous hacks, such as the Iranian regime-linked attack on a Pennsylvania water authority?
EPA and White House Sound Alarm
The LA News Center has reached out to DHS for comment, but no response has yet been received.
In March, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs issued a joint letter to state governors, urging them to enhance the cybersecurity of water systems and prepare for potential cyberattacks.
“Drinking water and wastewater systems are an attractive target for cyberattacks because they are a lifeline critical infrastructure sector but often lack the resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices,” the officials wrote.
Urgent Measures Needed
The recent spate of cyberattacks highlights the urgent need for robust measures to safeguard the nation’s critical water infrastructure. Lawmakers, agencies, and water utilities must work together to implement comprehensive cybersecurity protocols, invest in technological advancements, and develop contingency plans to minimize the impact of potential disruptions.
As water resources become increasingly scarce in many areas, ensuring their security becomes paramount to safeguarding the well-being and resilience of communities across the country.
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
