The water sector faces increasing pressure to enhance cybersecurity measures due to rising hacking threats.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the White House urged governors to develop plans by June 28 addressing major cybersecurity risks in their state’s water systems.

Proposed legislation by Reps. Rick Crawford and John Duarte seeks to establish a governing body to set cybersecurity mandates and collaborate with the EPA for enforcement.

However, many water facilities lack the resources for adequate cybersecurity, including tools and trained staff.

Upgrading old equipment is costly and time-consuming for municipal systems, often using outdated technology lacking modern cybersecurity defenses, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

Concerns persist about undetected hackers lurking in water systems, potentially launching coordinated attacks.

Recent warnings highlight the vulnerability of water facilities to cyberattacks, including those sponsored by foreign governments.

Despite investments in cybersecurity technologies, challenges remain in detecting and preventing attacks.

The lack of binding cybersecurity requirements for the water sector underscores ongoing debates about balancing security needs with operational costs.

Written by B.C. Begley