New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is faulting the Department of Health and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for not doing enough to protect the state”™s water systems from natural disasters and man-made attacks.
“New York has thousands of water systems supplying drinking water but, as we”™ve seen in other states, this critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted by cyber and other attacks,” said DiNapoli. “The state should do more to ensure public water systems are protected from threats with security assessments and emergency plans that are accurate and up to date.”
DiNapoli noted there are nearly 9,000 public water systems in New York, including more than 2,800 community water systems. But an audit by DiNapoli”™s office examined whether the 317 community water systems outside New York City that are required to submit Water Supply Emergency Plans had viable and up-to-date Vulnerability Assessments and Emergency Response Plans. DiNapoli also pointed out that cyberattacks have targeted New York”™s water systems, with the state responding to 57 cyber incidents involving local governments in 2022.
“New York has thousands of water systems supplying drinking water but, as we”™ve seen in other states, this critical infrastructure is increasingly targeted by cyber and other attacks,” said DiNapoli. “The state should do more to ensure public water systems are protected from threats with security assessments and emergency plans that are accurate and up to date.”
