Posted on Jul 02, 2021
In recent months, an increased number of ransomware attacks have occurred against U.S. critical infrastructure, including targeted attacks against the water sector. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency predicts that ransomware attacks against critical infrastructure will continue to increase.
 
In response to the ransomware threat, Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology, issued the memo, What We Urge You to Do to Protect Against the Threat of Ransomware, in which she outlines recommended best cybersecurity practices. The Office of Drinking Water urges all waterworks to adopt these basic practices to reduce the risk of a successful ransomware attack.
 
In addition to the national-level response, the Office of Drinking Water is taking steps to help waterworks in Virginia better protect themselves against cyberattacks. These measures include an effort to add cybersecurity into the sanitary survey, using simple questions to evaluate a waterworks' cyber readiness. The Office is also cataloging free and low-cost resources available to waterworks at the national and state levels. More information on both of these initiatives will be forthcoming as they progress.
 
If you have questions regarding any of the information contained in this email, please contact Holly Brown, Emergency Services Coordinator for the Office of Drinking Water at holly.brown@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-372-3909.
 
Holly Brown
Emergency Services Coordinator, Office of Drinking Water
Virginia Department of Health
109 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 372-3909 (mobile)
 
 
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