Peggy’s Tech Blog:
The Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call for Infrastructure
What happens when the technology behind our critical infrastructure becomes a target for cybercriminals? That is a question utilities and cities across the United States can no longer afford to ignore. Reports of more than 30 community water systems targeted in Minnesota highlight a growing concern for utilities nationwide. As water infrastructure becomes increasingly connected, cybersecurity is now a public safety issue.
Proposed legislation, including the Water Cyber Shield Act, has brought renewed attention to cybersecurity requirements and funding for critical upgrades. But policy alone cannot protect our water. Utilities also need the right resources, expertise, and practical strategies to address vulnerabilities before they become costly problems.
In a conversation with Ron Elliott, director of field applications engineering at Digi International, we explored the risks facing water and wastewater utilities and the steps communities can immediately take today to begin protecting our most precious resource.
For more information:
Expert Opinion:
Cobots on the Rise
I like to use real world examples to illustrate the technology about which I write, and especially for technology around which swirl clouds of hype and fantasy. When it comes to cobots there’s no lack of these. It was therefore refreshing to read a report issued by The Association for Advancing Automation, which provided a new benchmark for the adoption of cobots:
A deal has two sides. Your stack only sees one.
Aligned shows you the other half. See what buyers actually do between meeting. See what they open, revisit, and share; so you know the exact next step to move things forward. And your champion gets everything they need to win internally when you're not in the room.
Peggy Smedley Show:
Water Utility Cybersecurity: Practical Strategies
Episode 993 | 11.3.26 | Segment 2
Peggy Smedley and Ron Elliott, director of field application engineering, Digi International, discuss the growing threat of cyberattacks on water systems and the cybersecurity challenges facing utilities nationwide. They explore practical ways to secure connected infrastructure, protect aging operational technology, and strengthen cybersecurity without replacing entire systems.
They also discuss how organizations can:
· Identify the common vulnerabilities cyber attackers exploit.
· Secure remote access and protect connected devices.
· Bridge the gap between IT and OT to protect critical infrastructure.
· Learn from real-world examples of cyber vulnerabilities.
· Move from reactive responses to proactive monitoring and long-term cybersecurity planning.
Peggy Smedley Show:
Protecting Critical Infrastructure
Episode 993| 11.326 | Segment 1
Peggy explores the growing threat of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, including electricity, water, transportation, healthcare, and food distribution. She highlights how organizations can strengthen cybersecurity, monitor physical operations, protect legacy systems, and improve incident response to reduce risks and ensure operational resilience.
She also encourages listeners to:
· Prioritize critical assets and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
· Strengthen remote access controls, network security, and system updates.
· Use independent monitoring to detect abnormal operating conditions.
· Develop and test incident response and recovery plans.
· Integrate cybersecurity, operational safety, and business continuity planning.
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