In a recent publication, GovTech magazine emphasized the cybersecurity threats facing critical infrastructure. One of the focuses of the article was water and wastewater systems. The article features insights and statements from leading experts in the water sector, including David Travers, the Director of the Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division at the EPA; and two of WaterISAC’s very own: Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and Executive Director of WaterISAC; and Jennifer Lyn Walker, Director of Infrastructure Cyber Defense at WaterISAC.

As we all know, the water sector plays a critical role in public health and safety. When functioning properly, it ensures safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment. As WaterISAC continuously shares, this sector faces escalating threats from cyber attackers, particularly state-sponsored actors and hacktivists seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure to draw headlines. For adversaries, an incident at a water facility garners significant attention, making the sector a prime target. A striking example is the Iran-linked Cyber Av3ngers, whose attacks were designed to send political messages. These incidents can divert public focus from geopolitical conflicts, using critical infrastructure disruptions strategically. The article notes that according to FBI statistics, the water sector has recorded a sharp 300 percent increase in ransomware attacks from 2021 to 2023. Access the full article at GovTech.