Last week, the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI), Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), and Microsoft recently released an interim report detailing the findings from the first phase of the Cyber Readiness Program aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in small and medium-sized water and wastewater utilities across the nation. The pilot, which launched in 2023, assigned a Cyber Coach to assist these utilities in implementing best practices in cybersecurity, resulting in significant positive feedback regarding the program's accessibility and efficacy. A total of 59 utilities engaged with the program, with 35 achieving full completion. The success of the program has led to adjustments in preparation for Phase 2, which aims to expand training to an additional 150 utilities.

WaterISAC is continuing to partner with CRI to promote Phase 2 of the program, and reminds utilities that the program is free. If you are interested in participating in this program or learning more, please see the Cyber Readiness Program - Resiliency for Water Utilities Program on the Cyber Readiness Institute’s website.

As Phase 2 unfolds, the CRI, FDD, and Microsoft are prioritizing sector-specific resources and enhancing the Cyber Coach support system to address unique challenges faced by the water sector. The updated Cyber Readiness Playbook will simplify navigation and allow for more personalized policy drafting by Cyber Leaders, thereby increasing its practical utility. The collaboration with key agencies, including the National Rural Water Association and CISA, indicates a concerted effort to bolster cybersecurity resilience in critical infrastructure sectors while addressing vulnerabilities. For more information, visit Industrial Cyber.