Critical Infrastructure Security, Threat Intelligence

Indiana water plant hack admitted by Russian hackers

Russian hack attack concept, on the computer keyboard. 3D rendering

CNN reports that Indiana-based water and wastewater treatment plant and electricity provider Tipton Municipal Utilities has been targeted by a cyberattack on April 19 claimed by Russia-linked hacking operation CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn.

Operations at the facility continued amid minimal disruptions caused by the intrusion, according to TMU General Manager Jim Ankrum, who added that a federal investigation into the incident is already underway.

Based on a video posted by the hackers on social media, TMU had its water aeration and movement software altered as a result of the breach. However, such manipulation has been minimized as a "minor annoyance" to operators of water and wastewater plants by Infinity Squared Group CEO Ron Fabela.

Such a development comes days after CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn, which previously took responsibility for an attack against a water treatment plant in Muleshoe, Texas, had been associated by Mandiant researchers with the prolific Russian state-sponsored advanced persistent threat group Sandworm.

Get daily email updates

SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news

By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You can skip this ad in 5 seconds