Why Utility Software Makers Like Itron Are Targets for State-Sponsored Hackers

Itron's April 2026 breach exposes why software suppliers to utilities have become prime targets. These intermediary companies control the systems that bridge everyday IT and the operational technology running power grids and water systems — making them attractive to nation-states. Breaching a supplier gives attackers reach across many customers at once, with less security scrutiny than the utilities themselves face. This mirrors earlier supply-chain exploits during cloud migration, but the stakes are far higher when critical infrastructure is at risk.