Newport News Boosts Waterworks Cybersecurity With $6 Million as Attacks Hit Utilities in 12 States
Updated
Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 12
Newport News Boosts Waterworks Cybersecurity With $6 Million as Attacks Hit Utilities in 12 States
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo! Voices · Aug 12
Summary
$6 million-plus in IT spending and a new chief information officer post are part of Newport News' push to harden waterworks systems serving more than 400,000 people.
The city is also keeping critical control systems off the internet and adding employee training to reduce the risk of hackers seizing passwords or disrupting operations.
Mayor Phillip Jones said the moves follow cyberattacks on water and wastewater utilities reported in at least a dozen states and warned it is only a matter of time before Virginia is targeted.
Jones said the FBI believes the attacks elsewhere are most likely tied to Iran-backed agencies, though authorities have not publicly confirmed responsibility or motives.
Newport News plans to keep coordinating with state and federal partners and may seek additional funding as it reviews whether more defenses are needed.