21st-century challenges of water treatment plants through the public safety aspects

Abstract

As critical infrastructures in the 21st century, water utilities face an increasing cyber security threat. This research focuses on the public security implications of cyber-attacks on electronic information systems and cyber-physical (OT) systems of water utilities, with a particular focus on the potential contamination of drinking water and subsequent response activities. Water, our most basic resource, is essential for life, and the protection of companies involved in the treatment of wastewater and drinking water is of paramount importance, as there is a serious health risk if their industrial processes are compromised. This scientific work describes the most common forms of attack caused by recent security incidents, the vulnerabilities of water treatment systems, and the activities involved in responding to such incidents, including public security, recovery, and post-investigation.