US Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Risks
- America's essential services, including water, health care, and energy, are facing heightened risks of cyberattack, experts warn.
- Corman noted the increasing threat to hospitals, water supplies, and other vital systems, emphasizing the need to reassess cybersecurity strategies.
- Corman pointed out that hospitals have become primary targets for ransomware attacks due to their critical services and often inadequate cybersecurity measures.
U.S. critical infrastructure faces escalating cyberattack risks, with hospitals and rural water facilities notably vulnerable, according to new reports. This heightened threat landscape demands immediate action and reassessment of cybersecurity strategies. Experts highlight the need for improved cyber resilience, moving beyond solely digital defenses and embracing analog solutions. State and local governments, along with community members, must step up to protect essential services like energy and healthcare. budget cuts at federal agencies shift more duty to local entities. News Directory 3 reports on volunteer initiatives like Undisruptable27.org, which aim to bolster local cyber defenses. Recognizing that government aid might potentially be insufficient,collective action is now crucial to safeguard vital systems and ensure preparedness. Discover what’s next in securing America’s future.
US Critical Infrastructure Increasingly Vulnerable to Cyberattacks
Updated June 28, 2025
America’s essential services, including water, health care, and energy, are facing heightened risks of cyberattack, experts warn. Joshua Corman, a public safety and resilience expert at the Institute for Security and Technology, said that escalating global tensions are extending battlefields into the digital realm, making critical infrastructure a prime target.
Corman noted the increasing threat to hospitals, water supplies, and other vital systems, emphasizing the need to reassess cybersecurity strategies. He suggested exploring analog solutions that rely more on physical engineering rather then solely on cyber firewalls to improve cyber resilience.
Corman pointed out that hospitals have become primary targets for ransomware attacks due to their critical services and often inadequate cybersecurity measures. Small, rural water facilities also face challenges, often lacking the resources to implement necessary security upgrades and best practices.
“With great connectivity comes great duty,” Corman said.
Corman said that due to budget and staff reductions at agencies like the EPA, Health and Human Services, the Department of Energy, and CISA, more responsibility for cyber defense is falling to state and local governments, as well as individuals.He urged education and participation in initiatives like Undisruptable27.org, Cyber Civil Defense, and the Cyber Resilience Corps, which connects volunteers with organizations needing cybersecurity assistance.
What’s next
Corman emphasized the need for collective action, stating that communities must step up to protect themselves, as governmental aid may not be sufficient. He urged individuals to get involved in bolstering local cyber defenses.