US Water System May Be , Vulnerable to Cyberattack, by China, Russia and Iran.<br />CNBC reports that the United States <br />water system has been the target of a series <br />of cyberattacks over the past few years. .<br />In response, the Environmental Protection Agency <br />(EPA) has been forced to issue an alert warning <br />that 70% of water systems do not comply <br />with the Safe Drinking Water Act.<br />According to the EPA, some have “alarming <br />cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” including <br />unchanged default passwords and former <br />employees who retain access to vital systems.<br />In February, the FBI issued a warning to <br />Congress that Chinese hackers have embedded <br />themselves into the U.S. cyber infrastructure. .<br />Those hackers have targeted water treatment <br />plants, the electrical grid, transportation <br />systems and other vital infrastructure.<br />Those hackers have targeted water treatment <br />plants, the electrical grid, transportation <br />systems and other vital infrastructure.<br />Water is among <br />the least mature <br />in terms of security, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity <br />practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.<br />Stuart Madnick, an MIT professor of engineering <br />systems and co-founder of Cybersecurity at <br />MIT Sloan, warns that an attack that shuts off <br />water to the population is the main concern.<br />We have demonstrated in our <br />lab how operations, such as <br />a water plant, could be shut <br />down not just for hours or <br />days, but for weeks, Adam Isles, head of cybersecurity <br />practice for Chertoff Group, via CNBC.<br />Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and <br />National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter <br />to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .<br />Recently, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and <br />National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan sent a letter <br />to governors stressing the urgency of the threat. .<br />CNBC reports that budgets, outdated <br />infrastructure and an overall reluctance to take <br />action may prevent necessary fixes from <br />being made before a serious attack.
