AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – The Amherst Water Department was awarded $50,000 to improve its cybersecurity after a recent assessment identified risks of a cyber-attack.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires states to evaluate cybersecurity as part of their checks on public drinking water systems. The agency said that many such systems haven’t taken basic steps to ensure their security, even as cyberattacks are becoming more frequent.
What we know so far about the attack on French train network ahead of Olympics opening In March, the Biden administration warned governors that “disabling” cyberattacks are targeting drinking water and wastewater systems throughout the country and urged them to help identify and address any vulnerabilities.
Water and wastewater systems can represent an “attractive target” for cyberattacks because of their essential nature and frequent lack of “resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices,” said Michael Regan, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan in a letter.
“Even basic cybersecurity precautions — such as resetting default passwords or updating software to address known vulnerabilities — are not in place and can mean the difference between business as usual and a disruptive cyberattack,” Regan and Sullivan said.
They called on the governors to help ensure all their states’ water systems identify any significant vulnerabilities, put in place practices to reduce cybersecurity risks, and exercise plans to prepare for a potential cyber incident.
Amherst conducted an assessment of the Department of Public Works Water computer systems and identified areas for improvement, according to a news release from the Town of Amherst. A $50,000 cybersecurity improvement grant was awarded from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) drinking water program .
Amherst uses remote and on-site management to monitor the Town’s water which will notify staff of any issues such as a rapid decrease in pressure which may indicate a major water main break in the system.
“This grant allows our Water Department to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities that have been identified during our recent cybersecurity assessment,” stated Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Amy Rusiecki. “Cyber criminals have improved their techniques and water departments across the country have been targeted. We are grateful for this financial support from the DEP to strengthen our cybersecurity.”
“The Town’s water and wastewater systems are increasingly more sophisticated and complex, relying more and more on computer monitoring,” stated Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “As we have discovered, these systems are vulnerable and must be kept up-to-date. These are primary life and health safety systems. We are fortunate to have operators and staff that are proactive in addressing these needs.”
Director of Information Technology Sean Hannon added, “This grant helps to provide enhanced cybersecurity protections that are crucial for safeguarding our water treatment systems and will improve the safety and uninterrupted service of our drinking water supply.”
Latest Local News Headlines
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Most Popular
Comments / 0