Hackers breach Rand Water’s defences
The network breach damages servers, but Rand Water says its water treatment and supply have not been affected.
Cybersecurity breaches have become more frequent, targeting water utilities worldwide as they are seen as attractive targets for hackers. Rand Water, Africa's largest bulk water utility, recently suffered a network infiltration, with the extent of the damage still unknown. The utility, based in Johannesburg, is now operating in a disaster recovery environment, utilizing a backup site in Centurion to maintain business continuity.
Rand Water's debt officer, Lucky Ncobela, explained that hackers took advantage of the cover of darkness, gaining access to some servers during nighttime operations. The entity, which serves over 16 million people across Gauteng, parts of the Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga, confirmed that its critical operational activities remain fully operational, including water treatment processes, water quality control systems, and bulk water supply operations.
Rand Water is actively investigating the incident with the support of internal and external specialists. Pugin, a cloud technology enabler, noted that the attack appears to be malicious in intent, aiming to bring down systems rather than a ransomware attack. The incident highlights the growing threat of cyber attacks on utilities, with hackers increasingly targeting energy and water entities.
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