In a joint effort, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have introduced a user-friendly incident response guide crafted to aid owners and operators in the Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) Sector.
Crafted in partnership with over 25 stakeholders from industry, non-profit organizations, and state/local government entities within the WWS Sector, the incident response guide meticulously outlines practical steps and essential resources crucial throughout the cyber incident response journey.
This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive and industry-relevant resource.
Addressing Persistent Threats
CISA’s Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, Eric Goldstein, highlights the persistent threat faced by the Water and Wastewater Systems sector from malicious cyber actors.
“The Water and Wastewater Systems sector is under constant threat from malicious cyber actors. This timely and actionable guidance reflects an outstanding partnership between industry, nonprofit, and government partners that came together with the EPA, FBI, and CISA to support this essential sector. We encourage every WWS entity to review this joint guide and implement its recommended actions,” said Goldstein in the official release.
Speaking on the same lines, Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI’s Cyber Division emphasized the FBI’s commitment to countering cyber threats targeting the critical Water and Wastewater Systems Sector.
He stressed the importance of building robust partnerships and sharing threat information with critical infrastructure owners and operators before potential cyberattacks.
“The Water and Wastewater Systems Sector is a vital part of our critical infrastructure, and the FBI will continue to combat cyber actors who threaten it. A key part of our cyber strategy is building strong partnerships and sharing threat information with the owners and operators of critical infrastructure before they are hit with an attack,” said Vorndran.
Four Pivotal Stages of Incident Response Guide
CISA outlines four pivotal stages of the incident response lifecycle:
Preparation: Organizations within the WWS Sector are advised to establish an enhanced incident response plan, utilize available services and resources to enhance their cyber readiness, and actively engage with the WWS Sector cyber community.
Detection and Analysis: Emphasizing the crucial role of accurate and timely reporting, the handbook underscores the significance of swift collective analysis to fully comprehend the scope and impact of a cyber incident. It provides valuable information on incident validation, reporting procedures, and access to technical analysis and support.
Containment, Eradication, and Recovery: While WWS Sector utilities execute their incident response plan, federal partners concentrate on coordinated messaging, information exchange, and extending assistance in remediation and mitigation.
Post-Incident Activities: This phase involves retaining evidence, utilizing collected incident data, and drawing lessons learned—an indispensable element for a comprehensive analysis of both the incident and the effectiveness of response efforts.
Encouraging Implementation
WWS utilities are strongly encouraged to leverage this comprehensive incident response guide by CISA to enhance their preparedness and collaboration with federal partners, ensuring a robust response before, during, and after a cyber incident.
Familiarity with the handbook is considered essential to better equip WWS utilities in responding to and recovering from potential cyber threats. The guide stands as a collective effort to fortify the resilience of critical infrastructure in the face of evolving cybersecurity challenges.
Media Disclaimer: This report is based on internal and external research obtained through various means. The information provided is for reference purposes only, and users bear full responsibility for their reliance on it. The Cyber Express assumes no liability for the accuracy or consequences of using this information.