Cal Water Finds No Evidence of OT Activity After Hackers Claimed They Could Disrupt Water Supply

California Water Service has found no evidence that hackers accessed its operational technology systems after the Iranian hacker group Handala claimed they could have disrupted the water supply but chose not to. An investigation by cybersecurity firm Mandiant revealed that the hackers only gained unauthorized access to a small number of user accounts within two third-party service provider platforms, including one customer's online account using stolen credentials. The incident highlights the continued vulnerability of the water sector, which remains a prime target for cyber attacks due to its reliance on legacy systems and often inadequate security measures.