MILWAUKEE — Cybersecurity expert Alex Holden says Wisconsin utilities are facing growing cyber threats after hackers disrupted water operations in neighboring Minnesota. Officials say there are no confirmed compromises in Wisconsin. Federal and Wisconsin officials are warning water utilities to secure critical infrastructure systems after cyber incidents in neighboring Minnesota disrupted water operations and raised concerns about vulnerabilities in utility control systems. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Sweeping cyberattack on water systems in multiple states has officials on edge The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently sent a statewide alert to water and wastewater utilities warning of “ongoing malicious activity” targeting programmable logic controllers, or PLCs — small industrial computers used to help manage pumps, pressure and water flow inside utility systems. The alert follows incidents in Minnesota where federal officials say hackers targeted internet-connected control systems tied to water operations. “Control over our critical infrastructure, especially like our water supply, is paramount to us,” said Alex Holden, chief information security officer for Hold Security. Watch: Cybersecurity expert explains cyber threats facing Wisconsin water systems In a joint public warning issued Thursday, the FBI and Environmental Protection Agency said malicious cyber actors have targeted internet-facing Programmable Logic Controllers used by water utilities in at least seven states. Federal officials said some incidents led to operational disruptions, including pressure loss and utilities switching to manual operations. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, also warned of a “significant increase” in cyber actors targeting PLCs used by water and wastewater systems. Holden said internet-exposed industrial control systems remain a concern. ‘They are just sitting open on the internet, exposing their internal configurations,’ Holden said. Federal officials are urging utilities to remove internet-exposed operational technology systems, strengthen passwords and review remote access controls. Despite the warnings, Wisconsin officials say there are currently no confirmed