Critical Infrastructure · Water Sector

Cybersecurity Exercises for
Water & Wastewater Utilities

OT/IT convergence creates unique vulnerabilities in water infrastructure. We test your ability to detect, isolate, and recover from attacks that threaten service delivery and public safety.

Purpose-built exercises for utilities managing SCADA systems, treatment processes, and distribution networks — where a cyber incident means more than data loss.

NIST 800-61NIST 800-82CISAEPA Cyber GuidelinesAWWA GuidanceNIST CSF
3hrs

Average reduction in incident detection-to-containment time

100%

Of identified SCADA access control gaps remediated within 60 days

4x

Improvement in cross-department coordination response

90 days

From first exercise to board-ready resilience documentation

The challenges you're facing

Why water & wastewater utilities organizations are investing in structured exercise programs.

OT/IT convergence without convergence planning

SCADA, HMI, and treatment control systems increasingly share network infrastructure with corporate IT — but incident response plans rarely address both domains. An attacker who compromises email can reach PLCs.

Nation-state and hacktivist targeting

Water utilities are actively targeted by state-sponsored actors (Volt Typhoon, CyberAv3ngers) and hacktivists. These aren't theoretical threats — they're documented intrusions at utilities in the US.

Regulatory pressure without clear guidance

EPA cybersecurity requirements are expanding, state regulators are increasing expectations, and CISA is publishing advisories — but most utilities lack the internal expertise to translate guidance into operational readiness.

Small teams, big attack surface

Many water utilities operate with 1-3 IT staff and limited cybersecurity expertise. Remote access for SCADA maintenance, vendor connections, and legacy systems create an attack surface that exceeds available resources.

Threats targeting your sector

Real adversary tactics we test against in every engagement.

SCADA / HMI Compromise

Unauthorized access to supervisory control systems — changing treatment chemical levels, manipulating pressure settings, or disabling monitoring. Tested with realistic OT attack scenarios.

Ransomware with OT Impact

Ransomware that moves from IT to OT networks, encrypting historian data, disabling remote access, or impacting SCADA visibility. Tests your isolation decisions under time pressure.

Supply Chain Compromise

Compromised vendor remote access, malicious firmware updates, or poisoned software supply chains targeting utility-specific systems and integrators.

Insider Threat / Credential Abuse

Misuse of legitimate access by employees or contractors — shared credentials, excessive OT access privileges, and lack of monitoring on critical system changes.

Data Integrity Attack

Subtle manipulation of sensor data, historian records, or compliance reporting — attacks designed to go undetected while undermining operational trust and regulatory compliance.

Service Disruption & Public Safety

Scenarios that test decision-making when cyber incidents threaten water service delivery — boil water advisories, treatment interruptions, and multi-agency emergency coordination.

Example exercise scenarios

Custom-designed for water & wastewater utilities environments. Every scenario is MITRE ATT&CK-mapped.

Nation-state actor compromises remote access VPN and reaches SCADA HMI — treatment chemical dosing is altered

Ransomware propagates from business network to OT historian and engineering workstations

Compromised vendor laptop introduces malware during routine SCADA maintenance

Hacktivist group claims to have accessed treatment controls — media picks up the story before you can verify

Insider with legitimate access modifies PLC logic to disable chlorination alerts

Coordinated attack disrupts water service during extreme heat event — multi-agency response required

Data integrity attack manipulates flow sensor data, leading to incorrect compliance reporting

Phishing campaign targets utility staff with fake regulatory compliance portal

Why water & wastewater utilities organizations choose us

We understand OT/IT convergence — our scenarios test real SCADA, HMI, and PLC decision points, not just IT network incidents

Exercise scenarios built from actual adversary campaigns targeting the water sector (CISA advisories, FBI alerts)

Deliverables map directly to EPA cybersecurity expectations and state regulatory requirements

We test the decisions that matter: when to isolate OT, how to notify the public, when to activate mutual aid

Small-team friendly — exercises designed for utilities with limited cybersecurity staff

After-Action Reports include specific remediation steps prioritized for water utility budgets and operational constraints

Experience across municipal water, regional authorities, and wastewater treatment facilities

Framework alignment (NIST 800-82, AWWA) that satisfies board governance and insurance requirements

Engagement options

Start where your organization is. Build from there.

Foundation

Cyber Readiness Assessment

$7,500
per engagement

First structured exercise with full capability assessment.

Schedule Scoping Call
Most Popular
Operational

Operational Cyber Resilience Program

$15,000
per engagement

Maturity scoring, playbook recommendations, executive accountability.

Schedule Scoping Call
Enterprise

Enterprise Cyber Crisis Simulation

$35,000
per engagement

Full-day executive crisis simulation with remediation roadmap.

Schedule Scoping Call

View full service details, add-ons, and advisory retainers →

Ready to test your water utility's cyber resilience?

A 30-minute scoping call is all it takes. We'll learn your environment and design an exercise that builds real operational readiness.