MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – As the investigation into a hack of the Aliquippa continues, officials at the Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) are addressing their ability to repel unwelcome actors from their online services and operations.
Communications Director Chris Dale said the MUB system does not share any similarities with the Aliquippa system that an Iran-based “hacktivist” group called the Cyber Av3ngers was able to compromise.
“Perhaps the most important thing for people to know is that MUB does not use any of the components listed as part of the Aliquippa hack,” Dale said.
The attack in Pennsylvania hit a booster station that monitors and regulates water pressure for 6,600 customers in two townships. Dale said MUB is aware of constantly changing threats and works to prevent exposure to protect not only the treaty and distribution system but customer information as well.
“It would be completely arrogant to say we are 100 percent protected from hacks,” Dale said. “However, we exercise extreme diligence in protecting our systems.”
Dale said they are not able to address their security protocols in any detail, but said it is a continuing concern. Having in-house assets to address areas of concern is the most prudent way to keep the system operating securely.
“MUB employs two full-time Information Technology (IT) professionals to monitor our systems, and we contract with external vendors to help secure our systems in terms of both treatment processes and operations,” Dale said.
Like other companies or organizations, when a new threat pops up, they take immediate steps to understand it and respond. The process to maintain security is ongoing, and updates are made as vulnerable areas are identified.
“We continuously upgrade software and hardware to ensure the highest degree of protection from hacks,” Dale said. “In fact, next week, our online records and payment portals will be down as we upgrade that system.”