White House: "China and Iran Launch Cyber Attacks on US Water Systems"... 50 States Convened

The U.S. administration under Joe Biden has determined that its water resource systems, including water supply and sewage systems, are being incapacitated by cyberattacks from China, Iran, and others, and has convened governors from all 50 states to devise countermeasures.

Jake Sullivan, U.S. White House National Security Advisor
Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the 19th (local time), Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, and Michael Regan, EPA Administrator, sent letters requesting the participation of governors from all 50 states in a virtual meeting scheduled for the 21st to protect critical water resource facilities from cyber threats. The meeting will review federal and state government efforts to strengthen responses to cyberattacks and will call for swift action.

In the letter, the White House and EPA stated, "Cyberattacks that incapacitate water supply and sewage systems across the United States are occurring," expressing concern that "such attacks could disrupt the essential resource of clean and safe drinking water and impose significant costs on communities."

To emphasize the seriousness of the issue, the letter also referenced two recent cyberattack cases targeting U.S. water supply and sewage systems. In one case, attributed to individuals linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the control system of a U.S. water supply and sewage facility was cyberattacked and incapacitated. It was revealed that the facility had not changed the default password set by the system manufacturer.

The letter also included a case involving the China-backed cyber organization "Bolt Typhoon," which disabled information technology systems of multiple critical infrastructures, including drinking water, on the U.S. mainland and territories. The White House assessed that Bolt Typhoon’s target selection and methods differ from traditional cyber espionage and appear to be preparing to disrupt critical infrastructure in the event of a U.S.-China military conflict.

Administrator Regan stated, "The EPA and NSC take these threats very seriously," adding, "We will continue to work with state environmental, health, and homeland security leaders to address the broad and challenging risks of cyberattacks on water resource systems."

Advisor Sullivan said, "We have been working across the government to introduce critical cybersecurity standards for national critical infrastructure, including the water sector," and expressed hope to "continue the partnership with the EPA to strengthen the cybersecurity of U.S. water supply and sewage systems."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.