Facts Matter

← Facts Matter26 aug · 15 min

Over 30 Minnesota Water Systems Hit with 'Coordinated Cyberattack,' Forced to Go Offline

Over 30 Minnesota Water Systems Hit with 'Coordinated Cyberattack,' Forced to Go Offline26 aug15 min

In just 48 hours, a coordinated cyberattack disrupted the digital controls of water systems across more than 30 Minnesota communities, forcing operators to switch to manual backup to keep pumps, valves, and treatment systems running without any data theft, financial loss, or ransom demands.

The incident, which remains—officially, at least—without a named suspect, highlights the longstanding vulnerabilities in local U.S. water infrastructure. Let's go through the details of the attack, as well as some of the possible culprits.