OAN Staff James Meyers
11:02 AM – Monday, October 7, 2024
American Water Works has reported an unspecified cyberattack on its IT systems on Monday, which supplies drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million people.
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The New Jersey-based company became aware of the hacking on Thursday, and took necessary steps to prevent it, including shutting down specific water systems, according to a filing made by the company.
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.
“In an effort to protect our customers’ data and to prevent any further harm to our environment, we disconnected or deactivated certain systems. There will be no late charges for customers while these systems are unavailable,” an American Water spokesperson told CBS News in an email. The company is “working around the clock to investigate the nature and scope of the incident,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the utility company stated it notified law enforcement and is cooperating with them.
According to the company website, American Water is considered the biggest water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and provides drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million people in 14 states and on 18 military bases.
As a result, shares of the company were down $2.87, or 2%, at $139.71 in early morning trading on Monday.
Furthermore, U.S. officials have become concerned about alleged work by Chinese intelligence officers to breach critical U.S. infrastructure networks, including water-treatment facilities.
They also tied a cyberattack targeting U.S. broadband providers to the government in Beijing, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, noting people familiar with the matter.
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