Why Hackers Target Companies That Sell Equipment to Power Companies

Technology suppliers like Itron are attractive targets because they sit in the middle: they sell equipment that helps run power grids and other critical infrastructure. A hacker who breaks into the supplier can reach many utilities at once, rather than attacking each one separately. Itron's breach in April 2026 exposed this recurring weakness. This pattern echoes earlier security problems in cloud computing, but the stakes are much higher when essential services are at risk.