Water utilities would get cybersecurity boost under bipartisan Senate bill

Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Mike Rounds reintroduced the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act to modernize and expand USDA’s Circuit Rider Program with cybersecurity protocols and technical assistance for small water and wastewater utilities, citing that only 20% have basic protections; the effort is supported by the National Rural Water Association, Rural Community Assistance Partnership, and Cyber Solarium 2.0, and follows federal warnings about disabling cyberattacks on water systems and a non-disruptive incident at American Water Works Company.