Oct 16, 2025
When you turn on your tap, you expect clean, safe water to come out—simple as that. But behind the scenes, hundreds of systems are working together to make that happen pumps, treatment plants, sensors, and control rooms.
These systems used to run mostly on mechanical parts and manual processes. Today, they run on computers, networks, and data. And that means the same technology that makes them efficient can also make them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Around the world, hackers are targeting utilities—sometimes for ransom, sometimes just to cause chaos. If they manage to disrupt operations, the results can be serious: unsafe water, service interruptions, environmental harm, and public distrust.
That’s why cyber awareness isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a public safety issue. Water and wastewater utilities are discovering that protecting their systems isn’t just about technology. It’s about people, habits, and culture.
What a “Cyber-Smart” Culture Looks Like
Think of cybersecurity like safety gear: you don’t put it on only when there’s an accident, you wear it every day to prevent one.
A strong cybersecurity culture means everyone, from the general manager to the plant operator, understands that cyber risks are real and that they each play a part in keeping systems safe. It’s not about knowing how to code; it’s about knowing how to be cautious—spotting suspicious emails, reporting issues, and following good digital hygiene.
Technology can only do so much. The real defense comes from people who care, pay attention, and do the right thing even when it’s inconvenient.
The Building Blocks of a Cyber-Aware Utility
1. Leadership that leads by example
When leaders take cybersecurity seriously - talking about it, budgeting for it, and modeling good practices - everyone else follows. If leadership treats it as a priority, the rest of the team will too.
2. Training that sticks
Cyber training doesn’t have to be technical or boring. Show real-life examples of phishing emails, practicing spotting fake messages, and run short refreshers throughout the year. Tailor the training to each role—operators, field crews, finance teams—all face different risks.
3. Policies that work in the real world
Security rules should be simple, clear, and realistic. Make it easy to follow them—use password managers, automatic updates, and clear guidelines for remote work and vendor access.
4. Good cyber hygiene
Just like regular maintenance keeps equipment in shape, basic digital maintenance keeps systems secure. Know what devices you have, keep software up to date, limit internet exposure, and back up important data. The EPA and CISA both offer free toolkits to help utilities with these steps.
5. Planning for “what if”
No one likes to imagine a cyber incident—but being prepared is key. Have a plan for how to respond if systems are hacked or go offline. Practice it through tabletop exercises so everyone knows their role and response time improves when it counts.
6. Tracking progress and celebrating wins
Measure how you’re doing—how many employees complete training, how fast you apply updates, how often phishing tests succeed. Use those results to improve and to recognize teams that do things right.
7. Keeping the conversation going
Talk openly about near misses and lessons learned. Share updates about new threats in staff meetings or newsletters. The more visible cybersecurity is, the more it becomes part of daily operations.
8. Securing your partners, too
Vendors, contractors, and service providers often have access to key systems. Make sure they follow your same security standards and report incidents quickly. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Why It’s Tough—and Why That’s Okay
The water sector faces unique challenges. Many utilities—especially smaller or rural ones—don’t have large IT teams or big budgets. Some still use older systems that weren’t built for cybersecurity, and regulations can sometimes focus more on paperwork than real resilience.
On top of that, it’s easy to think, “We’re too small to be a target.” But hackers often target smaller utilities because they’re easier to break into. The good news? Even small steps—awareness, training, and better habits—can make a big difference.
How to Get Started
- Take a snapshot of where you are.
What’s already in place? Where are the gaps? Use free frameworks from EPA, CISA, or WaterISAC to assess your current setup. - Get leadership involved.
Make sure decision-makers understand cybersecurity is about protecting public health, not just protecting data. - Train everyone.
Add cyber awareness to onboarding, safety briefings, and annual refreshers. Keep it short, clear, and hands-on. - Simplify policies.
If a rule is confusing or unrealistic, fix it. Security that works is security people actually follow. - Run drills.
Practice responding to a cyber incident—just like you would for a flood, fire, or equipment failure. - Share and collaborate.
Connect with other utilities and organizations like WaterISAC or your state agency. Learning from others’ experiences can prevent the same mistakes. - Keep it going.
Cyber threats evolve. So should your awareness, training, and plans.
Resources That Can Help
You don’t have to do this alone. Check out:
- WaterISAC – Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Water and Wastewater Utilities
- EPA & CISA – Water Sector Cybersecurity Toolkit
- NIST & MITRE – Guidance for IT/OT Security in the Water Sector
These offer free, practical steps to improve security and build awareness across your organization.
Why It All Matters
A strong cybersecurity culture pays off in real ways:
- Resilience: Faster recovery and less downtime.
- Savings: Prevention is far cheaper than cleanup.
- Public trust: Safe water builds confidence in your utility.
- Compliance: Staying ahead of risks helps meet regulatory goals, too.
In the End
Cybersecurity isn’t just about computers, it’s about people. The same care and pride that keep your water clean can keep your systems safe.
The mission has always been the same: protecting the public. But in today’s world, that mission includes the digital side too.
Every drop matters and so does every login, every click, and every person who helps keep our water secure.
The Water Tower consists of two nonprofit organizations: The Water Tower at Gwinnett, a 501(c)4 – responsible for the development and operations of the campus, and The Water Tower Institute, a 501c3 – responsible for solutions, instruction, and engagement programming. Together, these entities are cultivating an ecosystem of water innovation fueled by imagination, informed by research, and powered by pioneers. The Water Tower brings together public and private sectors of the water industry, side by side with academia and nonprofits, to tackle the industry’s greatest challenges.