Cyberattacks and the critical services we rely on

State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems.

Hackers disrupted technology controls at water towers and treatment plants in more than 30 Minnesota communities last week. And the FBI says water and wastewater companies in at least six other states have reported incidents.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about what we can do to protect the water systems, power grids and other public services we rely on.

Guests:

• Jeremy Schwarzrock is the manager of information security for Titan Machinery, an agricultural and construction equipment dealer based in Fargo, North Dakota with locations across North America, Europe, and Australia. He is also an adjunct professor of computer science and information systems at Minnesota State University Moorhead.

• Manuel Teodoro is a professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He works with government, community, and industry leaders to improve water utility regulation and management. He is also the author of the recently published open-access book, “Safe Drinking Water Act: The Next Fifty Years.”

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.