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U.S. unveils plan to improve cyber defenses for water utilities -Breaking

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Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The White House announced Thursday a plan for strengthening cybersecurity in the country’s water sector. This is part of its ongoing efforts to stop attacks on critical infrastructure such as electricity lines and pipelines.

According to senior administration officials, water facilities are dependent on automation and electronic networks, making them vulnerable to hackers. This could lead to unsafe water production, disruption of water supply, or even the destruction of infrastructure.

This administration plan encourages the use of technology that can detect cyber threats early, provide better response, and allow for data sharing with the U.S. government.

After a series of cyberattacks that severely damaged American businesses and government agencies as well as a ransomware attack which caused disruption to gasoline supply, the Biden administration has made cybersecurity a key focus.

Last year, hackers broke into the computer system https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-cyber-florida/hackers-try-to-contaminate-florida-towns-water-supply-through-computer-breach-idUSKBN2A82FV of a facility that treats water for about 15,000 people near Tampa, Florida, and sought to add a dangerous level of additive to the water supply.

In July, President Joe Biden signed a national security memorandum https://www.reuters.com/world/us/white-house-calls-americas-most-critical-companies-improve-cyber-defenses-2021-07-28 to create “performance controls” for cybersecurity in the country’s most critical companies. He warned that if the U.S. ended up in a “real shooting war” https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-warns-cyber-attacks-could-lead-a-real-shooting-war-2021-07-27 with a “major power” it could be the result of a significant cyber attack on the United States, highlighting what Washington sees as a growing threat posed by hackers from Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

This latest initiative in the water sector will be coordinated with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Water Sector Coordinating Council. According to officials, although water utilities will be invited to participate in a pilot program by the EPA, it will not require them.

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