About this episode

The episode discusses recent cyberattacks on U.S. water systems and the potential involvement of Iran.

Cyberattacks targeting water and wastewater utilities have been reported in at least a dozen states across the United States since late July. Although there has been no widespread contamination or immediate threat to public drinking water, it is a serious and apparently coordinated attack. Nikita Shah, Caitlin Welsh, and Lauryn Williams join Will Todman to discuss why U.S. critical infrastructure is vulnerable, what can be done to respond, and if there is enough evidence to blame Iran. State of Play audience survey Nikita Shah, "The Cyberattacks on the U.S Water Sector and the Iran Question: Escalation or Opportunism?" CSIS, August 14, 2026. Franck Gbaguidi and Caitlin Welsh, "Rethinking Water as a Frontline Security Risk," CSIS, August 5, 2026. Lauryn Williams, "Cyberattacks on U.S. Water Systems" CSIS, August 4, 2026.

People in this episode

Host: Will Todman

Guests: Nikita Shah, Caitlin Welsh, Lauryn Williams

Topics covered

• cyberattacks
• critical infrastructure
• water systems
• Iran
• public safety
• vulnerability

Keywords

• cyberattacks
• water utilities
• Iran
• critical infrastructure
• public drinking water

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Center for Strategic and International Studies

Places: Iran, United States

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