NEWS

U.S. introduces new requirements to protect water systems from cyberattacks

Anonymous

Mar 6, 2023 — 1 min read

As part of new requirements for public water facilities to improve their cybersecurity, the US Environmental Protection Agency expressed concern that many facilities have not taken basic preventative measures to safeguard themselves against cyberattacks.

“Cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure facilities, including drinking water systems, are increasing, and public water systems are vulnerable. Cyber-attacks have the potential to contaminate drinking water, which threatens public health,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “EPA is taking action to protect our public water systems by issuing this memorandum requiring states to audit the cybersecurity practices of local water systems."

An alarming example of cybersecurity breaches in the water sector was issued just weeks after the Biden administration started, when a hacker infiltrated a Florida water treatment plant and attempted to increase the concentration of sodium hydroxide to a potentially dangerous level, according to local authorities.

"Americans deserve to have confidence in their water systems resilience to cyber attackers. The EPA's new action requires water systems to implement adequate cybersecurity to provide that confidence. EPA used a flexible approach to enable water systems to craft the most effective ways to protect water services. The EPA's action is another step in the Administration's relentless focus on improving the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure by setting minimum cybersecurity measures for owners and operators of the water, pipelines rail other critical services Americans rely on," said Anne Neuberger, Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technologies.

The memorandum conveys EPA’s interpretation that states must include cybersecurity when they conduct periodic audits of water systems (called “sanitary surveys”) and highlights different approaches for states to fulfill this responsibility.

SOURCE

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