LOC News
Federal Agencies Release Critical Guidance for Securing Water Systems
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have jointly released a new fact sheet that outlines specific actions communities should take to reduce risk and to provide a path for protection and recovery from cyber-attacks. These include:
- Reducing exposure to the public-facing internet;
- Conducting regular cybersecurity assessments;
- Changing default passwords immediately;
- Conducting an inventory of operational technology/information technology assets;
- Developing and exercising cybersecurity incident response and recovery plans;
- Backing up OT/IT Systems; and
- Reducing exposure to vulnerabilities, and conducting cybersecurity awareness training.
The fact sheet also provides free services, resources, and tools to support these actions. In addition to securing water systems, these services apply to all levels of local government to guard against continued cyber threats.
Contacts:
Nolan Pleše, Lobbyist (Cybersecurity) - nplese@orcities.org
Michael Martin, Lobbyist (Water) - mmartin@orcities.org
Last Updated 3/22/24