American Water Works, a major water and wastewater utility company serving over 14 million people, disclosed a cybersecurity breach on Monday. The company detected unauthorized activity on its computer networks and systems on Thursday, prompting them to take protective measures, including shutting down certain systems.
While the company believes its facilities and operations were not directly impacted, they acknowledge the potential for broader consequences. The customer portal service, MayWater, remains offline, and the company has suspended billing to customers as a precaution.
American Water is actively investigating the incident with the assistance of law enforcement. They are working to determine the full scope of the breach and the potential impact on customer data. The company has assured customers that there will be no late charges while systems are unavailable.
This incident highlights the growing concern over cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including water treatment facilities. U.S. officials have recently expressed concerns about alleged efforts by Chinese intelligence officers to breach such networks. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that U.S. officials have linked a cyberattack targeting U.S. broadband providers to the Chinese government.
American Water's breach serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyberattacks and the potential for widespread disruption. The company's ongoing investigation and efforts to mitigate the impact of the breach will be closely watched as the full extent of the incident becomes clearer.