Cyberattacks target water systems across Georgia, federal authorities investigating possible Iran connection

ATLANTA (WJBF) – Federal authorities are investigating a growing number of cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater systems across the country, including several in Georgia.

The FBI and Environmental Protection Agency say hackers have been targeting internet-connected equipment used to control water operations.

Georgia is among at least a dozen states where attacks on water systems have been reported, including incidents involving the Clayton County Water Authority and Columbus Water Works.

Federal investigators are also looking into a possible connection to an Iranian-backed hacking group.

The FBI and EPA say malicious cyber actors have remotely accessed programmable controllers used to operate water systems.

Those devices can control equipment including water valves, pumps and pressure systems.

Cybersecurity experts say gaining access to those systems could allow hackers to disrupt water operations or prevent utility employees from controlling equipment.

Taylor Morgan, chief solutions officer with TekStream, says the working assumption is that an Iranian-backed group may be behind the attacks.

“What we understand from the attack is that they got into the system and they shut down water operations for a period of time.”

Morgan says the goal of attacks against critical infrastructure can be to disrupt services and operations.

Despite the attacks, officials say there have been no reported impacts to drinking-water safety.

The FBI and EPA are urging water utilities to take additional cybersecurity precautions, including removing programmable controllers from direct exposure to the public internet, using strong and unique passwords and restricting access to authorized devices.

Utilities are also being encouraged to maintain the ability to operate critical systems manually in case a cyberattack disrupts automated controls.

The FBI is investigating whether the attacks are connected to Iranian hackers who have also targeted other U.S. critical infrastructure.

Federal officials are urging water and wastewater operators to review their cybersecurity protections and report suspicious activity.

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