Austrian power producer Verbund on Thursday said it uses Siemens S7 Series programmable logic controllers (PLCs) flagged in a U.S. government cybersecurity advisory, but only in very specialized areas of its operations.
The U.S. warning, issued by multiple government agencies on Wednesday, highlighted an active threat from unidentified hackers targeting Siemens S7 PLCs in U.S. critical infrastructure, including water facilities. Verbund stated its use of the components does not expose its systems to the same risks, noting that its installations are not internet-accessible.
A company spokesperson said Verbund has not experienced any related security incidents. The advisory follows a series of cyber incidents at local water systems across several U.S. states, which cybersecurity experts have linked to Iranian state-sponsored actors.
Verbund operates as Austria’s largest electricity producer and grid operator, with a portfolio spanning hydroelectric and renewable energy assets. Siemens, a German conglomerate, manufactures the S7 PLCs, which are widely deployed in industrial control systems globally.
