‘Elevated’ risk of hackers targeting UK drinking water, says credit agency

Moody's warning over hacking's effect on debts may bolster water utilities' plans to hike bills to cover needed investments

The credit rating agency Moody's has warned that water companies face an elevated" risk from cyber attackers targeting drinking water, as suppliers wait on permission from the industry regulator to ramp up spending on digital security.

Moody's said, in a report to investors, that hackers are increasingly zeroing in on infrastructure companies, including water and wastewater treatment companies, and the use of AI (artificial intelligence) could accelerate this trend.