In developed countries, we give little daily thought to where our drinking water comes from or what happens to water after we flush it down the toilet. Nor do we fully appreciate how other modern necessities — from electricity to food supply to refined gasoline — depend on a reliable supply of water delivered by our local utility. But when water supply and wastewater treatment are interrupted, not only does it cause inconvenience, it can impact public health and the environment, undermine the economy, and put our national security at risk.

For decades, utilities have implemented best practices to contend with forces of nature that imperil water systems — from droughts to floods to hurricanes. But as they digitally transform by integrating information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) into their management and operations, cybersecurity risks take on greater importance.