Why the world’s richest country can’t defend vital infrastructure

It was therefore noteworthy, but should have come as no surprise, when America’s own water facilities came under attack this summer. On July 27th Maple Plain, near Minneapolis, declared an emergency. That same day the Clayton County Water Authority in Georgia, which serves 300,000 people south of Atlanta, asked customers to boil their water after a drop in pressure caused disruption. In all, hackers wormed their way into water and waste-water facilities in at least seven American states; some reports suggest more than 12. Minnesota was hardest hit, with 30 community water systems affected. American officials’ early assessments suggest that…