Iranian hackers have claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that allowed them to access the control system for a dam in Rye, New York, in 2013, according to NBC News' security analyst.
The hactivist group, SOBH Cyber Jihad, sent a message through another Iran-linked hacker outfit, Parastoo, saying it will release the technical information that proves it breached the Bowman Avenue Dam, less than 20 miles from New York City, Flashpoint Intelligence said.
The hackers said it took them two years to come forward because of a "state-level" warning not to go public with it "for the greater good." SOBH took credit for the intrusion after The Wall Street Journal reported on it this weekend.
Officials in Rye said the Department of Homeland Security notified them about "unauthorized access" to the city's computer system and followed up with a report in January.
The DHS report, which was obtained by NBC News, said the intruder accessed and read files — including user names and passwords — six times between Aug. 22 and Sept. 27, 2013. Rye officials said the hackers never manipulated the dam.
Sen. Chuck Schumer on Wednesday called for an immediate and thorough investigation of America's critical infrastructure by the DHS.
"Whether it’s a dam in Rye Brook, or our power grids, our financial institutions, our water systems, or our online networks, these parts of our infrastructure are at risk are under assault like never before, and we need to do more about it," Schumer said while standing at the Bowman Avenue Dam.
U.S. & World
A source familiar with the investigation told NBC News that the 2013 hack was traced to an Iranian group, but that it was not clear if the actions were supported by Iran's government.
