The Critical Role of
Cyber Security in the Water Sector
The water sector continues to be a popular target for cyber criminals and ransomware groups. Worldwide, high-profile incidents impacting major water companies across the UK and US have demonstrated the very real risk of compromise to both IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments.
- The average cost of a ransomware incident in the water sector was £358,500. However, this was only an average. One survey respondent cited a cost in the range of £900,001 - £1m.
- 50% of water organisations ranked data protection and privacy as their top challenge.
Source: Cyber Security in CNI: 2024
Addressing the Water Sector's Unique Cyber Security Challenges
Regulatory Challenges
The water sectors not only faces increased regulatory scrutiny from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), but must also contend with AMP8 and enhanced CAF compliance targets.
IoT
Increased adoption of IoT solutions, ranging from low-risk applications such as condition-based monitoring through to high-risk applications such as water network pressure management, is introducing new potential vulnerabilities.
XaaS Solutions
The adoption of ‘anything as a service’ (XaaS) - including vendor-owned and operated treatment processes – is creating heightened third party risk.
AI and Machine Learning
Wider adoption of AI and/ or Machine Learning for traditional IT and the remote control of assets is creating resilience concerns.
OT Cloud
The water sector continues to shift towards OT cloud and/ or hybrid cloud environments.
Our Award Winning Cyber Security Services for the Water Sector
We’ve delivered cyber security services to a range of water sector organisations - including water and wastewater (WWS) plants - helping them increase cyber resilience and defend against threats.
Download the 2024 CNI Report
What are the Cyber Threats Faced by Water Organisations in 2024?
Nation State Groups
The water sector is a key target for nation-state actors – particularly those associated with China and Russia – who pose an increasing threat to both IT and OT infrastructure.
Ransomware Groups
Ransomware groups also pose a threat to OT environments through either direct compromise of OT assets or the compromise of business enterprise environments.
Hacktivism
Recent geopolitical events across the globe have resulted in an increase in hacktivism against Western organisations, with potential impacts ranging from intellectual property theft to enduring espionage activity.
Customer Success Stories
Having completed the project and deployed Purview, our client now has policies and controls in place to ensure that all data within the organisation is protected appropriately and any data risk has been minimised.
Indigo Increase SOC Maturity and Ensure Effective Business Continuity Processes With Bridewell
"Bridewell’s technical subject matter experts are some of the best we’ve ever worked with. We’ve recommended them to other utilities providers in the UK and Group Companies."
"We had the technical capabilities but wanted a partner that had done this before and knew Bridewell had the relevant experience in our sector."
“Bridewell have listened to what our business does, what our needs are and understands what we’re trying to solve,” says Sefton Jenkins. “They provide wraparound care to help us meet our objectives.
