AI-Assisted Hacking Puts Siemens PLCs in US Critical Infrastructure Squarely in the Crosshairs
US government agencies, including the NSA, CISA, FBI, EPA, and DOE, have issued a joint advisory warning that unidentified hackers are using AI to develop exploitation scripts targeting Siemens PLCs across critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, water, and manufacturing. The attackers combine AI-generated tools with open-source industrial automation libraries to manipulate PLC memory, configuration data, and ladder logic, while also conducting persistent reconnaissance that suggests preparation for future disruptive attacks. Agencies are urging organizations to apply the latest patches, restrict internet exposure of PLCs, and implement strong access controls and ICS monitoring solutions.