Internet-Exposed HMIs Pose Cybersecurity Risks to Water and Wastewater Systems

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in water and wastewater systems can pose serious risks, as internet-exposed Human Machine Interfaces make critical infrastructure vulnerable to unauthorized access. Recent incidents show how malicious actors can manipulate these systems, disrupting essential services and forcing manual operations. The Environmental Protection Agency and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency are urging facilities to secure HMIs and implement safeguards like strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and network segmentation to enhance protection against cyber threats.