Big Number
Seven. That is how many states were impacted by the cyberattacks. Minnesota and Wisconsin have been named, though officials have not disclosed the remaining five states targeted.
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Key Background
About 36 community water systems in Minnesota were targeted in the cyberattacks, with federal and Wisconsin officials saying hackers dropped water pressures in some Minnesota areas and forced some systems to switch to manual operations. However, Minnesota disputed the impacts, according to NBC News, with the state’s information technology department saying Minnesota did not report lowered pressure or that pressure changes led to response from law enforcement. Minnesota officials have maintained no municipal water supplies were contaminated and that drinking water is safe to consume. The attacks come amid high tensions between the U.S. and Iran, both of which failed to uphold a temporary peace agreement signed last month. The two sides have jockeyed for control of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for roughly 25% of the world’s maritime oil trade.
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Further Reading
U.S. Sees Iran as Likely Behind Cyberattack on Minnesota Water Systems (New York Times)
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