Source URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2024/12/13/cisa-and-epa-release-joint-fact-sheet-detailing-risks-internet-exposed-hmis-pose-wws-sector
Source: Alerts
Title: CISA and EPA Release Joint Fact Sheet Detailing Risks Internet-Exposed HMIs Pose to WWS Sector
Feedly Summary: Today, CISA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released Internet-Exposed HMIs Pose Cybersecurity Risks to Water and Wastewater Systems. This joint fact sheet provides Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) facilities with recommendations for limiting the exposure of Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and securing them against malicious cyber activity.
HMIs enable operational technology owners and operators to read supervisory control and data acquisition systems connected to programmable logic controllers. Threat actors can exploit exposed HMIs at WWS Sector utilities without cybersecurity controls, resulting in operational impacts and forcing victims to revert to manual operations (see Defending OT Operations Against Ongoing Pro-Russia Hacktivist Activity).
EPA and CISA strongly encourage WWS Sector organizations review and implement the mitigations in this fact sheet to harden remote access to HMIs. Visit our Water and Wastewater Systems page for additional resources to help protect the WWS Sector.
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses a joint fact sheet released by CISA and the EPA that addresses cybersecurity risks associated with Internet-exposed Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) in Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS). It emphasizes the need for stringent cybersecurity measures to protect these critical systems from potential threats.
Detailed Description: The joint fact sheet by CISA and the EPA serves as an important resource for Water and Wastewater Systems (WWS) facilities, highlighting the vulnerabilities associated with Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). The focus is on securing these interfaces to prevent malicious cyber activities, which can have dire operational impacts.
Key Points:
– **Cybersecurity Risks**: The exposure of HMIs to the internet poses significant cybersecurity threats, especially when adequate cybersecurity controls are not in place.
– **Operational Technology**: HMIs serve as the interface for operators to monitor and control supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, linked to programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
– **Malicious Exploitation**: Threat actors can exploit unsecured exposed HMIs, potentially leading to operational disruptions and forcing facilities to resort to less efficient manual operations.
– **Mitigation Recommendations**: CISA and the EPA outline recommendations for WWS organizations to strengthen remote access to HMIs to prevent cyber intrusions.
– **Resource Availability**: The agencies encourage affected organizations to utilize additional resources available on their Water and Wastewater Systems page for comprehensive protection against cybersecurity threats.
For professionals in the fields of infrastructure security and information security, this document underlines the critical need for enhancing cybersecurity measures around operational technologies in essential service sectors, reinforcing the value of proactive security strategies in safeguarding against emerging threats.