September 24, 2024 at 03:57PM
Arkansas City, Kansas, faced a cyberattack on its water treatment facility, prompting manual operations while authorities investigate. City officials reassured residents that the water supply remains secure and operational. The incident coincided with a warning about Russian-linked threat actors targeting the U.S. water sector, reflecting ongoing cybersecurity challenges in the industry.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
– Arkansas City’s water treatment facility in Cowley County, Kansas, was manually operated due to a cyberattack detected on Sunday. Homeland Security and FBI agents are investigating the incident.
– City manager Randy Frazer confirmed that the water supply is secure and unaffected by the cyberattack.
– The city emphasized that the water supply remains safe, and there has been no disruption to service for residents.
– Enhanced security measures have been implemented to protect the water supply, and no changes to water quality or service are expected for residents.
– The city warned residents of potential low water pressure due to issues with some pumps, which were being addressed over the weekend and possibly on Monday.
– The Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC) issued a threat advisory warning of Russian-linked threat actors targeting the water sector.
– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided guidance to assist water and wastewater systems in evaluating and improving cybersecurity practices to reduce exposure to cyberattacks.
– Past cyberattacks on the U.S. water sector have been attributed to threat groups from Russia, Iran, and China, impacting critical infrastructure and breaching water systems.
Additionally, the notes highlight the ongoing cybersecurity challenges faced by the U.S. Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) Sector, including historical instances of ransomware attacks and breaches targeting water facilities.