US representatives and senators recently reintroduced the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity of rural water systems across the US. The legislation, introduced in both the House and Senate, seeks to address the fact that only 20% of water and wastewater systems are currently protected from cyber threats. This bill aims to make significant improvements by expanding the Circuit Rider Program, which supports rural water systems with technical assistance.
The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act introduces cybersecurity technical assistance to the existing program, targeting small utilities that lack the financial and technical resources to defend against cyber risks. The bill proposes the creation of a cybersecurity circuit rider program, which would hire cybersecurity experts to provide on-site training, offer technical support, and help rural utilities build effective cyber protection strategies. This program will be critical in ensuring these systems are adequately prepared to face evolving cyber threats.
In addition to offering training, the legislation provides funding to help rural utilities assess and improve their cybersecurity measures.
By amending the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, the bill ensures that rural water and wastewater entities can develop and report on cybersecurity preparedness. This comprehensive approach aims to build a robust cybersecurity defense framework in small, underserved utilities that often lack the internal expertise needed to tackle such challenges.
Matt Holmes, CEO of the National Rural Water Association, emphasized the importance of the new cybersecurity specialists, noting that they will directly assist utilities in overcoming their lack of in-house expertise and resources. The bill’s passage is seen as a crucial step toward protecting the nation’s rural water systems, which are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks. This legislation would enhance the resilience of vital public infrastructure that many communities depend on for clean water and wastewater services.
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