INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) The FBI has issued an alert that cybercriminals are targeting water systems across the country.At least 12 states including Michigan and Minnesota have reported cyberattacks on water utilities.Bad actors wan t to disrupt our countrys critical infrastructure, including drinking water and wastewater.Indiana has not received any specific threats, but water systems are preparing anyway.Citizens Energy Group is one of the largest utilities in the state, handling both wastewater and drinking water.They have a cybersecurity team in place to protect against any disruptions.Citizens Energy and many water systems use controllers that utilize sensors to turn things off and on including pumps, motors and valves. The FBI warning says bad actors are targeting these controllers by remotely accessing internet-facing devices, changing IP addresses and changing passwords.As a result, impacted water systems are experiencing problems like flooding and a loss of water pressure. The FBI is concerned untreated ground water could seep into pipes.The FBI issued a list of recommendations to utilities on how to secure their systems.Citizens Energy says what the FBI recommended is already best practice for them.If you think about how you may use the internet at home, typing emails, doing business, that kind of thing, that is all separated at Citizens from the critical utility controls that we use to make sure that water and gas and wastewater services are delivered, said Ben Easley, a spokesperson for Citizens Energy. Citizens Energy has not had any specific threats, but they are working with the FBI to protect their 900,000 customers.Our message to our customers is that our systems are safe and secure, said Easley.We live in a very interconnected world, and we connect to each other through the internet. And so, we as a utility who's providing these really critical systems, need to make sure that there is that separation between folks who are just out there on the internet and may have ill intentions with the very critical operations that we provide here for our Central Indiana customers.Theyre also working with the states new Office of Cybersecurity.PREVIOUS | State launches new Office of CybersecurityThe offices interim director, Alyssa Schroeder, said the primary threats come from hackers looking to disrupt essential services such as water, energy, banking and telecommunications.Indianas I-Team also reached out to several other water systems to see what theyre doing in light of the FBI warning.The City of Carmel says it is working with the federal government on a utilities assessment to improve cybersecurity.CITY OF CARMEL STATEMENT:The City maintains an active cybersecurity program focused on continuously identifying, monitoring and protecting the devices and systems connected to our environment.This includes maintaining visibility into our technology assets, identifying vulnerabilities and emerging risks, applying security updates and protections, monitoring for suspicious activity and responding to issues as they are identified.Cybersecurity is an ongoing process citywide, and our approach is designed to continually evaluate our environment and strengthen protections as technology and threats evolve.Indiana American Water says they are also continually taking steps to strengthen their systems. INDIANA AMERICAN WATER STATEMENT:Cybersecurity is a continuous threat facing U.S. water and wastewater systems today.  American Water takes the cybersecurity of our systems and related data with utmost seriousness and continually takes steps to strengthen the cybersecurity of its systems. Our customers remain our highest priority.  The company is continuously evolving its cybersecurity program to adapt to the changing cybersecurity threats faced by the water sector and maintains close relationships with our local, state, and federal partners to prepare for cyber threats.  American Water is the first U.S. water and wastewater company and the third utility to earn the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act designation. It serves as one of the highest levels of accreditation offered by the Department of Homeland Security that promotes the development and deployment of effective anti-terrorism products, systems and services.Cyber experts say the incident in is an example of why it is important to sure up critical infrastructure systems."Critical infrastructure facilities like water and wastewater systems are increasingly becoming part of broader geopolitical cyber conflicts, even when they are not the primary targets. Much of the operational technology supporting these essential utilities was never designed with today's rapidly evolving cyber threats in mind," Mark Rorabaugh, CEO of InfraShield, a critical infrastructure cybersecurity firm, said.He added, "When internet-facing computers and other control systems are exposed, even a small intrusion can create real operational disruption for communities large and small. The answer is a layered resilience strategy, including stronger network segmentation, continuous monitoring, offline recovery options, and sustained investment to harden these environments and reduce internet exposure wherever possible." ...read more read less