Strengthening small utilities: The power of public-private partnership

Recent cyber attacks on US water utilities have exposed the vulnerabilities of small utility companies, particularly in their reliance on operational technology (OT) and their limited resources and expertise in cybersecurity. A Congressional hearing highlighted the significant risks these utilities face, underlining the need for enhanced OT security measures and improved information sharing. The collaboration between government agencies like the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alongside industry partners, is crucial in supporting these at-risk entities. The Dragos Community Defense Program, supported by Elastic, exemplifies how public-private partnerships can bolster cybersecurity defenses by providing free access to advanced OT tools and training. This initiative, along with government-run programs like CISA’s security scanning and tabletop exercises, represents a unified effort to secure critical infrastructure, ensuring small utilities can better defend against sophisticated cyber threats.