'We're very aware': Milwaukee Water Works closely monitoring nationwide cyberattacks
CBS 58 MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The Milwaukee Water Works is closely monitoring nationwide cyberattacks targeting water systems.
"We are definitely keeping an eye on it. We're very aware," Milwaukee Water Works Superintendent Patrick Pauly said. "We started receiving notices from state regulatory bodies and federal organizations early last week."
According to CBS News, the cyberattacks have been detected in 12 states, including Michigan and Minnesota.
The attacks are targeting programmable logic controllers, computer systems that control water pressure, pumps and chemical levels.
"We very quickly evaluated our system. We do not have this vulnerability," Pauly said. "None of our operational system PLCs are directly connected to the internet."
Pauly said Milwaukee's water is safe to drink and that the department has been advised to increase cybersecurity measures over the past several months following the start of the war with Iran.
"We reevaluated all the systems we have in place. We took some additional measures. We looked at who had access to our systems," Pauly said. "We have no evidence that there have been any cyberattacks on our systems. The water is safe to drink."
