American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., was the target of a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized activity in their computer networks and systems. The New Jersey-based company became aware of the issue on Thursday and immediately activated incident response protocols and third-party cybersecurity professionals to contain, mitigate, and investigate the cyberattack. They also notified law enforcement and took their customer portal service offline, suspending billing until further notice.
Despite the cyberattack, American Water stated that none of their water or wastewater facilities or operations have been negatively impacted at this time. The company is working to safely restore their systems and ensure the security of their infrastructure. Founded in 1886, American Water provides drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military facilities. They manage more than 500 water and wastewater systems in approximately 1,700 communities, including in California, Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
The cybersecurity incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, such as water and wastewater systems, to cyber threats. The company’s prompt response and collaboration with cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement demonstrate the importance of having strong incident response protocols in place to address and mitigate cyberattacks effectively. By proactively taking their customer portal service offline, American Water aims to prevent any further unauthorized access to their systems and protect customer data.
As a regulated utility company, American Water plays a crucial role in providing essential services to millions of people and military facilities across the United States. Protecting their infrastructure and ensuring the security of their systems is paramount to maintaining the reliability and safety of drinking water and wastewater services for their customers. The cyberattack serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by cybercriminals to critical infrastructure and the need for companies to continuously enhance their cybersecurity measures and defenses.
In response to the cybersecurity incident, American Water is focused on investigating the nature and scope of the attack, working to restore their systems securely, and ensuring the continued delivery of safe and reliable water and wastewater services to their customers. By coordinating with law enforcement and engaging cybersecurity professionals, the company is taking proactive steps to address the cyber threat effectively and protect their operations from future attacks. As they navigate this cyber incident, American Water remains committed to maintaining the integrity of their services and safeguarding the trust of their customers and stakeholders.
Going forward, American Water is likely to enhance their cybersecurity measures and protocols to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats and prevent similar incidents in the future. The company’s response to the cyberattack demonstrates their commitment to transparency, collaboration, and resilience in the face of cybersecurity challenges. By sharing information about the incident and their response efforts, American Water aims to reassure customers, employees, and the public of their commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining the security and reliability of their water and wastewater services.
