New York Awards $9 Million to Bolster Cybersecurity at 153 Water Systems, as Threats Intensify Across US
In a significant move to safeguard the nation’s water supply, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced over $9 million in grants to support cybersecurity efforts at 153 drinking water and wastewater systems. The funding is part of the state’s Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements (SECURE) grant program, aimed at helping utilities comply with recently introduced minimum cybersecurity standards.
The grants will enable local utilities to conduct comprehensive cybersecurity assessments and implement critical security upgrades. Recipients will also have access to no-cost technical assistance from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), providing an added layer of support in the fight against cyber threats. The funding is particularly timely, given the recent wave of coordinated cyberattacks targeting operational technology systems at water and wastewater facilities across the United States.
Last month’s campaign, which affected over 30 community water systems in Minnesota, serves as a stark reminder of the escalating threat landscape. While some municipalities reported disruptions to automated control functions, contingency procedures allowed most facilities to remain operational. However, the incident highlights the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures to prevent such attacks from having devastating consequences.
The coordinated campaign is believed to have affected water infrastructure in at least seven states, with Iran emerging as a leading suspect due to similarities with previous campaigns linked to Iranian threat actors targeting industrial control systems and water utilities. In response, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) urged water and wastewater operators to remove publicly exposed programmable logic controllers and other operational technology from the internet, as well as implement robust security protocols to protect against future threats.
The $9 million in cybersecurity grants is a critical step towards bolstering the nation’s water infrastructure defenses. This investment is part of a larger commitment by New York to prioritize cybersecurity, with over $10 billion in total allocated for water infrastructure grants since 2017. As cyber threats continue to intensify, it is essential that utilities and operators take proactive measures to safeguard their systems.
For consumers and businesses, this development serves as a stark reminder of the importance of staying vigilant against cyber threats. In light of these events, it is crucial to prioritize cybersecurity awareness and implement robust security protocols to protect against potential attacks. By doing so, we can ensure that our water supply remains safe and secure, even in the face of escalating threats.
Source: SecurityWeek — 2026-08-04