US officials alert governors to foreign cyberattacks targeting water and sewage

US warning: recent warnings from US government have alerted state governors to a rising tide of disruptive cyberattacks aimed at water and sewage systems across nation. National Security visor Jake Sullivan and Environmental Protection Agency ministrator Michael Regan jointly issued a letter on Tuesday, sounding alarm about escalating threat posed by foreign hackers.

Highlighting specific instances of disabling cyber assaults on vital water and wastewater infrastructure, letter singled out alleged perpetrators, including Iranian and Chinese cyber operatives. One notable case involved hackers purportedly linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who reportedly sabotaged a controller at a Pennsylvania water facility. Anor concern raised was involvement of a Chinese hacking group dubbed "Volt Typhoon," accused of infiltrating multiple critical infrastructure systems, including drinking water facilities in US and its territories.

letter highlights grave implications of such attacks, emphasising risk posed to essential provision of clean and safe drinking water and significant economic burden placed on affected communities.

Efforts to solicit comments from Chinese Embassy in Washington and Iran's mission to United Nations were met with no immediate response. However, both countries have previously denied involvement in cyberattacks.

susceptibility of water and sewage plants to digital threats has long been a concern among cybersecurity experts, given critical nature of ir services and often inequate defence mechanisms in place.

With Reuters Inputs