Story perspectives

Iranian Hackers Hit NJ Water; American Water Wins SAFETY Act

8/7/2026

Summary

Cape May Resists

Officials confirmed a July 27, 2026 cyberattack hit the Cape May Water and Sewer Department and Woodbine Water Department, but drinking water service stayed uninterrupted.
Cape May staff shifted to manual operations after hackers altered an IP address, while Woodbine restored phone service within hours.
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, the FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are investigating, suspecting Iranian hackers and noting attacks in a dozen states.

Summary

American Water Designated

American Water earned the DHS SAFETY Act designation, becoming the first U.S. water utility recognized for advanced anti-terrorism technology.
The SAFETY Act requires American Water to keep heightened cybersecurity measures and coordinate with the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Utilities nationwide are installing a vendor-provided software fix to remediate the vulnerability exploited in recent water-system hacks.

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Cape May Resists

Officials confirmed a July 27, 2026 cyberattack hit the Cape May Water and Sewer Department and Woodbine Water Department, but drinking water service stayed uninterrupted.
Cape May staff shifted to manual operations after hackers altered an IP address, while Woodbine restored phone service within hours.
The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell, the FBI, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are investigating, suspecting Iranian hackers and noting attacks in a dozen states.

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