Cyber Attacks On Britain's Water Supply

Uploaded on 2024-11-26 in INTELLIGENCE-Hot Spots-Russia, GOVERNMENT-National, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Production-Utilities

An increasing number of cyber incidents have hit the UK’s critical drinking water suppliesin 2024. The exact nature of these incidents is unclear, and they may include operational failures as well as attacks. Under British cyber security laws, infrastructure companies are required to report “significant incidents” to the government within three days or face a fine of up to £17 million ($21 million).

Across all regulated critical national infrastructure sectors, more incidents have been reported this year than ever before, with the transport and drinking water sectors the most impacted. In 2024, there were at least six incidents affecting drinking water infrastructure, according to data collected by Recorded Future, whereas In previous years there were no more than two.

While plenty of attention has been paid to its pipes, trunk mains and sewage overflows, less well understood is another big problem - computer systems. Some IT systems date back to the 1980s, and have long been declared obsolete. The six incidents were reported to Defra between January 1 and October 21.

According to the NIS Regulations - the EU's Directiveon security of network and information systems -these reports related to a cyber attack or operational failure that “directly impacts on the production and delivery of wholesome water, irrespective of whether or not customers are directly affected.”

Image: photim

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