Reuters reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's guidance for enhancing the cybersecurity of public water systems has been temporarily suspended by an appeals court amid an ongoing lawsuit filed by the state attorneys general of Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri.
The EPA was alleged by the lawsuit of having inadequate authority to compel states and local water suppliers to conduct cybersecurity assessments. Such a decision has been praised by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, while the National Rural Water Association noted the significant burden of the EPA plan on small water systems even if it also advances better cybersecurity.
Improved cybersecurity defenses have long been sought for the water sector, which has been highly vulnerable to attacks that could prompt water shortages or deadly situations due to the manipulation of chemical concentrations during the treatment process. One Kansas-based water facility was noted to have its systems taken down in March 2019 by a former employee using old credentials.
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