The recent cybersecurity alert from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) underscores an urgent and escalating issue: the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks targeting water utilities across the country. The EPA’s call to action emphasizes the critical need for community water systems to fortify their cyber defense measures to protect our nation’s drinking water supplies.
The Urgent Need for Enhanced Cybersecurity
The EPA’s enforcement alert reveals that over 70% of water systems inspected since last September violated standards set by the Safe Drinking Water Act. Among the alarming cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified were failures to change default passwords, cut off access to former employees, and reliance on shared logins for staff. These basic cyber hygiene practices are essential to safeguarding water utilities from potential cyber threats.
Juvare's Role in Enhancing Water Utility Cybersecurity
At Juvare, we understand the critical importance of protecting the nation’s water supplies from cyber threats. Our suite of emergency management solutions are designed to help water utilities implement robust cybersecurity measures and respond effectively to potential incidents.
WebEOC: Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Monitoring
In today’s world, government authorities, corporations, educational institutions, health systems, and nonprofits face complex challenges in emergency management, enterprise continuity, and situational awareness. WebEOC, our industry-leading SaaS solution, empowers agencies and organizations to maintain a unified operating picture during critical activations. It also delivers powerful workflows that simplify and automate routine tasks, ensuring you stay prepared and responsive when it matters most. WebEOC enables water utilities to conduct thorough risk assessments, identify vulnerabilities, and monitor their systems continuously. Real-time alerts ensure that any suspicious activity is detected early, allowing for prompt action to mitigate potential threats.
JX Collaborate: Incident Response and Management
JX Collaborate™, a key component of the Juvare Exchange® solution suite, is a secure peer-to-peer messaging and information-sharing platform designed to help organizations refine best practices and coordinate with close partners for improved outcomes. Unlike other messaging platforms that can complicate or limit communication with external colleagues, JX Collaborate has been developed to facilitate interorganizational partnerships in accordance with the unique standards and requirements of Juvare’s government, healthcare, corporate, and non-profit clients. The platform’s configurable chat networks and drag-and-drop file attachment capabilities are fast and flexible enough for emergencies while robust enough for daily operations. In the event of a cyberattack, JX Collaborate provides a structured framework for responding swiftly and effectively, coordinating with local and federal agencies, and managing communication with stakeholders.
Training and Preparedness
Cybersecurity is not just about technology; it’s also about people. Juvare offers comprehensive training programs to help water utility staff understand best practices in cybersecurity incident response and allowing personnel to effectively manage potential incidents. Regular drills and simulations ensure that teams are prepared for any scenario.
Data Protection and Recovery
Protecting sensitive data and ensuring its availability during and after a cyber incident is crucial. Juvare’s solutions include robust data protection and recovery capabilities, ensuring that critical information is secure and can be restored quickly in the event of an attack.
Collaborative Efforts for a Secure Future
The EPA’s alert is a reminder of the collective responsibility we share in protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure. By leveraging Juvare’s advanced emergency management solutions, water utilities can enhance their cybersecurity posture, ensuring the continued delivery of safe and clean drinking water to communities across the country. As part of the broader government-wide effort led by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Juvare is committed to supporting water utilities in adopting rigorous cybersecurity practices. Together, we can address the urgent and severe threats posed by cyberattacks, safeguarding our vital water resources for future generations. In these challenging times, Juvare stands ready to assist water utilities in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity. By implementing our solutions, utilities can achieve greater resilience, ensuring that the critical lifeline of clean and safe drinking water remains secure and uninterrupted.
For more information on how Juvare can help your organization enhance its cybersecurity measures, visit our website or contact us today. Together, we can build a more secure and resilient future for our nation’s water infrastructure.
