American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, announced on Monday that it was the victim of a cyberattack. The company, which serves over 14 million people in 14 states and on 18 military installations, discovered the unauthorized activity on Thursday and immediately took steps to protect its systems, including shutting down certain operations. American Water stated that its facilities and operations were not impacted by the attack and that its staff is working tirelessly to investigate the nature and scope of the breach.
The company has also notified law enforcement and is cooperating with authorities to address the cyberattack. In response to the incident, American Water has decided to pause billing to customers while its systems are unavailable, ensuring that customers will not face late charges during this time. Despite the disruption caused by the cyberattack, American Water assured the public that it is taking the necessary measures to address the situation and ensure the security of its operations.
According to the company’s website, American Water manages over 500 water and wastewater systems in approximately 1,700 communities across 14 states, including California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. With such widespread operations, the cyberattack on American Water raises concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and the potential impact on customers who rely on the company for essential services.
The incident serves as a reminder of the growing threat of cyberattacks on utilities and critical infrastructure, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against such attacks. As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, companies like American Water must remain vigilant and proactive in securing their systems and safeguarding customer data. The company’s response to the cyberattack, including its cooperation with law enforcement and efforts to investigate the breach, demonstrates its commitment to addressing the incident and ensuring the continuity of its services.
In the wake of the cyberattack, American Water’s announcement of the breach and its response to the incident will likely raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity in the water and wastewater sector. As the company works to restore its systems and resume normal operations, customers and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how American Water addresses the breach and strengthens its cybersecurity defenses to prevent future incidents. The cyberattack on American Water serves as a wake-up call for the industry to prioritize cybersecurity and invest in measures to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
