A recent US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) sponsored WERF/AwwaRF research project, led by EMA, was designed to
determine current data security vulnerabilities and consequences and to quantify vulnerabilities for
water and wastewater utilities. The results of this research project offer utility managers a variety of
valuable lessons that will be explored in this presentation.
While previous automated systems were resilient largely due to complex communication protocols,
proprietary real-time operating systems, and limited connectivity, today's technology has left
supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and process control (PCS) systems vulnerable to intrusions. At the same time, the information contained in
these systems is necessary to facilitate effective day-to-day management. As part of this project, 10
utilities (small to large) from across the United States participated in the research, testing, and
validation of various recommendations and an assessment tool. Self-analysis by participating utilities
revealed a number of shortcomings in existing security procedures. Field studies unveiled even
further vulnerabilities that had previously escaped scrutiny during self-analysis.
The research project has produced valuable findings for all utilities, results that give managers the
information needed and tools to protect their core business operation of facilities and infrastructure. Just
as important, however, is the discovery that adequate protection of automation technology does not
require utility managers to forego use of valuable data produced by these systems. Participants will learn
what steps to take to secure their data while maintaining valuable access that enables more effective
day-to-day management of the utility.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 200 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 7 |
| Published : | 03/01/2006 |
