New Jersey, this is not the sort of news you want to wake up to:
The Camden, New Jersey-based utility became aware of the unauthorized activity on Thursday, and took protective steps, including shutting down certain systems, American Water Works stated in a regulatory filing. The company does not believe its facilities or operations were impacted by the cybersecurity incident, but is 'currently unable to predict the full impact,' it stated.
Peeps up in Jersey drinking tap water right now like:
There is much cause for concern here, however: American Water Works is the "largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S."
According to its website, American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and provides drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people in 14 states and on 18 military installations. It manages more than 500 water and wastewater systems in about 1,700 communities in California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Thankfully it looks like it's not an operational issue; rather the risk is to user data and privacy, which isn't great but better than, you know, losing your drinking water.
American Water Works has "disconnected or deactivated certain systems" while it searches for the problem, the company said. Thankfully customers won't be charged late fees.
Still, I'm starting to think there might be some serious vulnerabilities in our drinking water systems:
Might have to start keeping a few cases of water in the basement, just in case.
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