The threat is real. Small Texas towns have had their water system hacked by a Russian Hacking group. You can find a cluster of news stories here.
In short, a series of cyberattacks targeted small towns in rural Texas, with one incident causing the water system to overflow. The attacks, attributed to a Russian hacktivist group called CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn, aimed at public utilities, raising concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. water systems. I have written about this previously related to hacks in Pennsylvania, and Hawaii.
In Hale Center and Muleshoe, attempts to breach the water systems were thwarted by manual intervention after the cities detected suspicious activity. Similar attacks in Lockney were also prevented. While the incidents didn’t pose immediate dangers, they underscored the need for improved cybersecurity measures in critical infrastructure. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security were notified but declined to comment on ongoing investigations. Both the FBI and DHS issued a warning about potential attacks in March.
Previous attacks on U.S. water facilities, including those attributed to Iranian state groups, prompted calls for stronger cybersecurity measures from government officials. The Environmental Protection Agency urged governors to assess cybersecurity risks and plan for potential cyberattacks on water supplies.
Valley Water needs to have a comprehensive cybersecurity policy. Moreover, it needs someone on the board of directors who understands the issues and the seriousness of the threat. Bill Roth is the candidate the board needs.