- Municipal water systems in Michigan were targeted in a cyberattack, according to the state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
The New York Times reported Saturday that Michigan is part of a wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. water systems involving at least seven states, including Minnesota and South Dakota, which have also reported attacks. The attackers targeted internet-connected control systems used to manage water treatment, pressure and other operations.
Dale George, spokesman for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said in a statement to the media that Michigan received "a small number of reports from Michigan communities indicating activity consistent with what federal agencies described."
"All systems continued to operate safely, issues were addressed by local operators, and there are no known impacts that posed a public health concern," George said.
The FBI warned earlier this week that "malicious cyber actors are conducting cyber attacks targeting operational technology devices" involving programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
"These threat actors are remotely accessing internet-facing PLCs, changing IPs and passwords, and causing operational disruption, including pressure loss and flooding," the FBI said on social media on Friday.
Michigan confirmed that nine municipal water systems reported activity consistent with the federal warnings, though officials also said there were no public health impacts and all systems remained operational.
The FBI and Environmental Protection Agency said some of the activity in the United States has disrupted water operations, forcing utilities to rely on manual processes while they strengthen defenses.
According to the Times, U.S. officials believe Iran is the leading suspect, though they stress the investigation remains preliminary and definitive forensic proof has not yet been established. President Donald Trump publicly dismissed Iran's involvement, instead suggesting Mi
