U.S. Water Utility Cyberattacks: CISA Warns of Exposed PLCs

CISA warns about rising U.S. water utility cyberattacks targeting internet-exposed PLCs. Learn 7 ways IT and OT teams can protect critical operations.

U.S. water utility cyberattacks are becoming a massive operational technology security risk in 2026. CISA and the FBI have warned that malicious cyber actors are aggressively targeting internet-exposed programmable logic controllers, commonly known as PLCs, used by water and wastewater systems across the country.

According to the agencies, attackers have modified PLC passwords, locked legitimate operators out of their systems and changed device IP addresses. These actions can disrupt monitoring and operational workflows inside critical water infrastructure, leading to severe disruptions.

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