Reed Urges Stronger Cyber Defenses & Rebukes Trump’s “Disturbing and Uninformed” Response to Cyber Attacks on U.S. Water Systems

WASHINGTON, DC -- As the scope of cyberattacks targeting U.S. water and wastewater systems widens and points to Iranian-backed hackers, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is urging the Trump Administration to boost U.S. cyber defenses and safeguard the nation’s water supply. Reed is also calling out President Donald Trump for slashing cyber defense funds and reflexively blaming U.S. states that were attacked by malicious cyber actors, despite the fact that evidence points to Iran. Last week, on July 26, 27 and 28, Michigan and Minnesota were among several states reportedly hit with cyberattacks aimed at disrupting water systems nationwide, and the scope of the attacks may be far wider. The attacks came after the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other agencies warned in an advisory last week that Iranian hackers have been targeting water and wastewater systems and the operational controls of other critical infrastructure sectors. And since the start of Trump’s war with Iran, experts have repeatedly warned: Iran is trying to turn off America’s water . While probes into the attacks could take months, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee who also serves as an ex officio member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed gratitude to federal law enforcement and state and local officials for doing their part to combat the attacks and is urging swift action by the Trump Administration to harden America’s cyber defenses. “These coordinated cyberattacks targeting more than thirty community water systems in Minnesota alone are a serious issue and should be a wake up call. It is fortunate no major damage was done and that is thanks in part to talented federal law enforcement and cyber officials who stand ready to assist state and local officials. But those assets need to be marshalled correctly. I urge the Trump Administration to step up and help defend our nation from these attacks. The investigation is still ongoing, but federal officials have repeatedly warned utilities that hackers are attempting to disrupt critical water infrastructure. We must be vigilant. Reportedly, the hackers are targeting specific brands of control systems used by municipal water utilities. And communities nationwide need to be aware and the federal government must do its part to support them and help defend against cyber hackers,” said Reed. Reed also rebuked President Trump for reflexively trying to dismiss the fact that the attacks bear the hallmarks of Iranian-backed hackers and unfairly shift the blame for the attacks onto states. Reed called Trump’s initial dismissiveness to this serious national security matter “disturbing and pathetic.” During a Cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, President Trump claimed without evidence that the cyberattacks against Minnesota were the fault of the state and its Governor Tim Walz. Trump stated: “I think that Minnesota is behind it. You know who’s behind it? Minnesota. Because they’re grossly incompetent. I think the governor is behind it. I don’t think there was an Iranian cyber attack.” He also stated: “They like to say, ‘Oh, is Iran.’ Iran should be so lucky. Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.” Senator Reed stated: “President Trump’s initial response to this wave of cyber attacks is disturbing and uninformed. Is he completely unaware that his own agencies have been warning about this exact type of attack? Hackers and terrorists are opportunistic and don’t just target the White House or the New York Stock Exchange. It’s alarming that President Trump initiated a war in Iran and is now trying to blame states coming under attack from what are very likely Iranian hackers.” The U.S. has over 150,000 public drinking water systems and more than 16,000 wastewater treatment systems. Many of the systems are automated and use internet-connected operational devices. Hackers target the systems’ programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) used for remote monitoring and equipment control. Many of these organizations are small, rural, or municipally operated and have limited cybersecurity personnel, funding, and access to specialized OT expertise, which CISA notes makes them vulnerable. The Trump Administration has significantly scaled back U.S. cyber defenses, notably through major staffing cuts at CISA, the elimination of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force, and dissolving the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) and halting an active investigation into the Salt Typhoon telecommunications hack. Additionally, Trump’s budget proposals have put hundreds of millions in federal cyber defense funding on the chopping block. Senator Reed stressed the need to look forward and help ensure states and municipalities can defend themselves and keep Americans safe. “We must ensure Rhode Island and every other state has the ability to secure its key infrastructure against hackers. Some of these IT upgrades can be extremely costly for small municipalities so the federal government has a role to play to ensure the financing is there for essential cyber services. I will continue working at the federal level to safeguard our country, boost our cyber defenses, and ensure the federal government does its part to assist states with technology upgrades to halt these types of cyber attacks – wherever they come from,” concluded Reed.