Cybersecurity is a major threat facing business and critical infrastructure throughout the United States. The water sector is no exception to this.

Threats to the water sector’s cybersecurity have been in the news lately. An incident in Florida saw a hacker gain access to the water treatment system, but an operator reacted quickly to thwart any potential harm. A different cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline resulted in it being voluntarily taken offline until the threat was handled. Ultimately, that attack was determined to be a ransomware attack.

Between water professionals carefully doing their jobs, which include regularly checking a series of meters measuring water quality and resources from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Water Works Association.

In the water sector, community water systems serving 3,300 or more people are required by America’s Infrastructure Act of 2018 to take stock of cybersecurity vulnerability and have plans in place to reduce the impact of attacks.

Water systems of all sizes are well prepared to continue to keep their consumers safe.