'Foreign actors' targeted small, private water providers in Colorado: Governor

Foreign actors targeted small, private water providers in Colorado, according to the state governor's office. These incidents involved changing equipment settings, disabling remote access and alarms, and altering pumping cycles. The Colorado governor's spokesperson described these as brief occurrences, with the affected providers quickly addressing the risks and notifying the state.

Neither the water treatment processes nor the water quality appeared to be compromised. The impacted systems served fewer than 200 people each. The governor's office did not disclose the identity of the foreign actors but confirmed prior suspicions about Iranian involvement in cyberattacks targeting water systems nationwide. The FBI has advised utilities to disconnect from the internet, utilize breakers, and be prepared to revert to manual controls if automated systems are compromised.

At least a dozen states have reported potential cyber intrusions at water and wastewater utilities, though Iran's direct involvement remains unconfirmed.