California City Declares Emergency After Cyberattack Hits Police and Fire Systems

Hackers have also been attacking water systems in communities across the United States. The FBI, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency all warned that cyberattackers got into water and wastewater systems in at least seven states. Iran-affiliated hackers were said to be targeting internet-connected industrial controllers to cause disruptions inside the United States. Federal agencies are now investigating attacks on water systems in about a dozen states.

In Minnesota, around 30 water systems were hit by a cyberattack. Officials there reported big drops in water levels before backup systems were turned on to fix the problem. Smaller communities are especially at risk because their water systems rely on internet-connected automated machines. Many of these towns do not have enough money or staff to keep those systems secure.

A group of lawmakers from both political parties asked the government to restore funding for programs that help states work together on cybersecurity. These programs are run by the Department of Homeland Security and are designed to coordinate efforts across many states at once. Working together is seen as much more effective than each state trying to defend itself alone. Cuts to these programs have left many communities more vulnerable to attacks.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office said there is no evidence that California's water systems were targeted in these recent attacks. However, the governor's office warned that each state trying to handle cybersecurity on its own is not enough. 'Cyber threats do not stop at state lines, and no state can defend against them alone,' the governor's office said. Officials stressed that cuts to the nation's cybersecurity workforce have weakened the tools and partnerships that protect essential services.