In July and August, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Cyber and Infrastructure Analysis (OCIA) released five reports that are relevant to the water sector. The publications are part of OCIA's Sector Resilience Report series:
Water and Wastewater Systems Sector is based on DHS assessments of 2,661 sites across all 16 critical infrastructure sectors from 2011 to 2014. DHS determined that 75% of these facilities depended on external water for operations, and 68% depended on external wastewater discharge services. DHS also found many of these facilities lacked an alternate source or on-site backup and more attention is needed on contingency or continuity plans for service interruption or priority restoration plans with the water utility service. The report also discusses the heavy dependency of water systems on the chemical and power sectors.
Water and Wastewater Systems Sector Cyberdependencies provides a general overview of cyber-supported processes, potential consequences of cybersecurity incidents and the potential for cascading consequences. The report notes that trends toward greater connectivity and automation expose water systems to greater cybersecurity risks. It also finds that management of a water system's IT by an outside entity can open the door to unsecure remote access, leaving the utility unable to detect or prevent unauthorized access. The report is marked For Official Use Only and is available from WaterISAC or the DHS Homeland Security Information Network, HSIN.
Extended Electric Outages highlights the functioning of critical infrastructure systems during an extended electric power outage. It briefly describes immediate, short-term and long-term effects, issues to consider during recovery and the importance of access to diesel fuel.
Electric Power Delivery provides a brief overview of the electric power system, an analysis of key electric power system dependencies and interdependencies and an assessment of, and best practices for, improving community, system and facility resilience.
Wildland Fires and Critical Infrastructure discusses types of wildfires and predicts an above-normal-to-normal outlook for the 2014 wildfire season starting in September. The report also addresses impacts on the economy as well as power, water and other critical infrastructures.