Protecting critical infrastructure online: Water & Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks on water or wastewater utilities can cause significant harm such as: disrupted treatment and conveyance processes by opening and closing valves, overriding alarms or disabling pumps or other equipment; defacing the utility’s website or compromising the email system; stealing customers’ personal data or credit card information; and installation of malicious programs like ransomware, which can disable business enterprise or process control operations. All of these can impair citizens’ access to clean water.