Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Addressing Dam Safety and Cybersecurity Risks
Dams are critical infrastructure that provide essential services such as water supply, hydropower, and flood control. However, aging infrastructure and the increasing connectivity of dam operations and control systems pose growing risks. This presentation will examine emerging challenges related to dam safety and cybersecurity.
Specifically, it will cover:
- Key dam safety risks such as aging components, but increased network and technological connectivity. Case studies of critical infrastructure incidents (ie. hacks) will illustrate the potential consequences.
- The evolution of dam operations and control systems, and their increasing reliance on digital networks and automation. How this expanded connectivity introduces cyber risks that could disrupt operations or allow malicious actors to remotely manipulate dam functions.
- Recent government and industry efforts to strengthen dam safety policies, regulation, and technological safeguards. Discussion will focus on risk assessment, emergency preparedness, increased monitoring/control capabilities, and information sharing.
- Strategies and best practices for securing dam control systems against cyber threats. Topics will include network segmentation, access controls, encryption, system redundancy, employee training, and incident response planning.
- Policy considerations such as balancing improved cybersecurity and dam safety with efficient operations and affordable solutions.
By examining these critical dam safety and cybersecurity challenges, this presentation will provide attendees with greater awareness of the risks involved and actions that can be taken to help protect these vital structures. The talk will be relevant for professionals, policy makers, and others with interests in critical infrastructure protection.
Author Bio
As CEO of Symposit LLC, Mr. Bermudez leads a team of expert IT and business professionals who foster mission success and citizen experience by leveraging information technology. With over 20 years of experience in IT operations, network security, and project management, he has worked with diverse clients across various industries, including the Federal government, state and local governments, defense, healthcare, and non-profits. He founded Symposit in 2008 with a vision to create simple, efficient, and concise IT solutions that increase productivity, decrease risk, and drive growth for our clients. Since then, Symposit has grown to serve over 30,000 personnel located in 50 states and 10 countries, delivering IT services based on our ADOMS model (Assess, Deploy, Optimize, Modernize, Secure). Mr. Bermudez is passionate about finding better ways to do business and protect our nation using technology, and is eager to learn, innovate and partner in this dynamic and evolving field.
