Another top concern of cyber-threats is to vehicles and public transportation systems as they are becoming smarter and more interconnected and more vulnerable to cyber-attacks
Lawmakers are concerned cyber-threats put the nation’s physical infrastructure at risk and they realize the US is not prepared for the attacks that are growing in number and severity.
Maine Sen. Angus King, as a witness told a Senate committee he’s most concerned about cyber-threats to the nation’s water system.
“This is an extremely dangerous situation, I believe that the next Pearl Harbor or the next 9/11 will be cyber”, King said.
Recent attacks on water systems have happened in states like Florida, Kansas and California, where Sen. Alex Padilla said a hacker accessed a water treatment plant “and deleted several programs that are designed and put in place to treat drinking water. Thankfully the hack did not result in harm to the public”.
Only luck has prevented catastrophic consequences because the nation is just not prepared, lawmakers and experts said.
Another top concern of cyber-threats is to vehicles and public transportation systems as they are becoming smarter and more interconnected and more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Several pieces of legislation are in the works to increase funding and regulations.
“Increased data and access to that data can result in safety and privacy cyber-threats”, said Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia.
Delaware’s Tom Carper said, “Cyber-security is a constantly evolving challenge, much like climate change. There’s no silver bullet”.
Leaders from public utilities and private industry say the federal government needs to act faster so the US can keep up with evolving cyber-threats.
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