FBI Issues Alert as Iranian-Linked Cyberattacks Hit Water Systems in Seven States

The FBI and EPA issued a joint public service announcement Thursday warning that cyberattacks had hit water and wastewater utilities in at least seven states since July 27, with some incidents degrading operations 1. CISA's advisory identified the targeted equipment as Allen-Bradley MicroLogix 1100 and 1400 series programmable logic controllers, and said attackers modified passwords to lock out operators, producing boil-water notices, flooding, and sustained manual operations at some sites 12. Beyond Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin also reported cyberattacks on their water systems; the alert followed a cyberattack on more than 30 Minnesota water systems on July 26 and 27, which a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension memo said was likely aimed at causing pressure loss and potential contamination, though Minnesota officials reported no confirmed water-quality impact 1. Multiple US officials told ABC News the Minnesota intrusions may be linked to Iran, but the FBI has made no formal attribution and federal investigators are still awaiting detailed forensic analysis 2.