Senators introduce cybersecurity bill after recent water attacks
In the wake of the recent cyberattacks on public water utilities, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Water Cyber Shield Act to improve cybersecurity in America’s water infrastructure. The legislation would strengthen federal oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency, provide critical funding for local utilities and safeguard drinking water and wastewater systems from cyberattacks.
“The recent cyberattacks on Minnesota have highlighted the urgent need to improve the security of our water systems and critical infrastructure,” said Klobuchar. “Our legislation will direct the EPA to assess water infrastructure cybersecurity and identify vulnerabilities and help municipal water systems defend against cyber threats. Protecting our critical infrastructure and the safety of Minnesotans is a top priority.”
“Every American depends on safe, reliable drinking water, yet recent events have exposed just how vulnerable our water systems remain to cyberattacks by foreign adversaries and criminal entities,” said Schiff. “These threats are not hypothetical; they are happening right now. This legislation gives EPA the tools it needs to protect this critical infrastructure while providing the resources that local water and wastewater systems need to strengthen their cybersecurity without passing the cost on to ratepayers.”
