Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
Key Points:
- Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are seen as a new geopolitical weapon by foreign nations.
- Energy infrastructure, such as power grids and water treatment facilities, are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats.
Article Summary:
A new report from cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 highlights the increasing threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, which are often linked to foreign nations. The report emphasizes that as infrastructure becomes more interconnected with digital technologies, vulnerabilities to cyberattacks increase. Energy sectors, including power generation and water treatment, are especially at risk, with the U.S. Department of Energy reporting a record number of security incidents in 2023.
The report underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness training for state and local organizations, citing a cyberattack on a water utility station in Pennsylvania where weak security practices led to intrusion by an Iranian-backed hacking group.
Between January 2023 and January 2024, global critical infrastructure experienced over 420 million cyberattacks, with the United States as a primary target. State-sponsored hackers from countries like China, Russia, and Iran have been implicated in attacks on critical infrastructure around the world.
Overall, the report serves as a reminder of the pressing need for improved cybersecurity measures to safeguard essential infrastructure and prevent potentially devastating attacks on state and local governments.
