FBI investigates cyberattacks on water systems in Michigan and Minnesota

The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced on Saturday that it is investigating cyberattacks that disrupted nine water systems in Michigan and 30 sites across Minnesota. The incidents were reported after federal agencies issued a warning that Iranian hackers were targeting water and wastewater infrastructure.

The FBI said it is working with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other partners to protect critical infrastructure. > "The FBI is aware of recent public reporting around Water and Wastewater (WWS) sectors," the agency said, adding that it is "fully engaged to protect critical infrastructure."

Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy confirmed that all affected systems continued to operate safely. Director of communications Dale George noted that the state received a federal cyber alert on Tuesday about attempts to tamper with operational technology in water systems, followed by a small number of reports of suspicious activity.

Minnesota officials reported that most of the confirmed breaches involved technology used to remotely monitor and control water-treatment equipment, but they said the attacks did not necessarily cause water service disruptions. No active requests for residents to change water usage were in place as of Thursday.

State officials have linked the attacks to Iranian actors, while President Donald Trump suggested the incidents were politically motivated, claiming without evidence that Minnesota was responsible. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz attributed the attacks to Iran and criticized federal staffing cuts for increasing vulnerability.