U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Adam Schiff have introduced a Water Cyber Shield Act to improve cybersecurity in America’s water infrastructure in the wake of recent cyberattacks on water utilities in Minnesota.
In April, officials warned of an alarming increase in cyberattacks against water utilities. In the past few weeks, coordinated attacks targeted more than 30 community water systems in Minnesota.
There was no major damage done to the systems during the attacks, but Klobuchar and Schiff say the new Water Cyber Shield Act aims to stop the acts before they start. The bill would strengthen federal oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency, provide critical funding for local utilities, and safeguard drinking water and wastewater systems from cyberattacks.
