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Schumer Visits Rye After Iranian Hack Report Surfaces

RYE, N.Y. -- In the wake of the recent Bowman Avenue Dam hack disclosure, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, visited Rye Brook to called for an immediate and more thorough investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of America's critical infrastructure.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer

Photo Credit: Contributed
The Bowman Avenue Dam in Rye.

The Bowman Avenue Dam in Rye.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

This push comes on the heels of recent reports that detailed the 2013 incident, which was previously undisclosed, and indicated the system was infiltrated amid attacks launched by Iranian hackers against the websites of several American banks. 

Rye's city manager released additional details Monday about a threat two years ago on the city's computer system involving the Iranian government.

Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said that in September 2013, the city of Rye was approached by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about an investigation into the unauthorized access to the city’s computer system, specifically relating to the Bowman Avenue Dam. 

The dam is near Rye's border with Harrison, Interstate 287, Port Chester Middle School and the Rye Ridge Shopping Center.

The city cooperated with that investigation, and in January 2014, the DHS provided a detailed report to the city, Serrano said.

The report remains classified. News about the apparent security breach was reported Sunday on Daily Voice.

The recent revelation about the Westchester Dam Iranian hack attack points to potential vulnerabilities of our critical infrastructure to cyberattack, Schumer said in a statement.

He is pushing for government agencies to further investigate hacks and work hand in hand with state and local governments to prevent future cyberattacks.

"Our No. 1 priority should be protecting our critical infrastructure from evildoers," said Schumer.

Schumer said the Iranian cyberattack at the Westchester dam points to potential vulnerabilities to cyberattack of our critical infrastructure including dams, sensitive industrial systems and power grids.

“Simply put, our country’s critical infrastructure is still far too vulnerable to hackers, and we must do more -- and fast -- to ward off this metastasizing threat,” said Schumer. 

To read Daily Voice's report on the details Rye's city manager released on the 2013 incident, published Monday, click here.

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