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General Security and Resilience

CISA Releases New Insider Threat Self-Assessment Tool

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has just published an assessment guide, the Insider Risk Mitigation Program Evaluation (IRMPE): Assessment Instrument, for critical infrastructure operators, local governments, and other organizations to gauge their vulnerability to an insider threat attack. The tool is a fitting addition to the resources highlighted during National Insider Threat Awareness Month, which concludes today.

How California’s Drought Is Impacting Reservoirs

As California’s record-breaking drought persists, the lack of precipitation and high temperatures are impacting the state’s water supply. Currently, 90 percent of California is experiencing drought conditions. The last major drought in 2015, witnessed California impose a 25 percent statewide cut in water use by urban residents thus its possible restrictions could be forthcoming if drought conditions further deteriorate. In California’s Bay Area, water reservoirs are running extremely low.

CISA Publishes Resources for De-escalating Cases of Potential Violence

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has just published a series of four documents intended to help critical infrastructure owners and operators recognize and respond to cases in which someone may be on a path to violence. The products are oriented towards four actions, which include recognize, assess, de-escalate, and report.

EPA Describes Applications of Water System Resilience Tool

In an article in Water Online, EPA describes how the Water Network Tool for Resilience (WNTR) it developed with Sandia National Laboratories has been used to assist utilities in assessing and building their resilience for disasters. The WNTR is a scientific software package that improves upon already available capabilities by fully integrating hydraulic and water quality simulation, damage estimates and response actions, and resilience metrics into a single platform.

National Preparedness Month, Week 4: Teach Youth about Preparedness

The theme for the fourth week of National Preparedness Month is “Teach Youth about Preparedness,” which encourages parents to talk to their kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case they are separated. This week's theme serves as a reminder that organizational preparedness also depends on the preparedness of their employees for disasters, which can be impacted if their children and families are affected.

Signs of Terrorism-Related Suspicious Activity Refresher for National Awareness Day

For “If You See Something, Say Something” National Awareness Day, which DHS has designated as Saturday, September 25, WaterISAC encourages its members to refresh themselves on the potential signs of terrorism-related suspicious activity. And more than just a refresher for security personnel, this information should be provided to all employees.

Guidelines for a Natural Approach to Flood Mitigation

High tide flooding incidents are both growing in frequency and increasingly posing threats to communities. In the U.S., 40 percent of the U.S. population currently lives in coastal counties and are thus vulnerable to hazardous water surges. The recently published, International Guidelines on the Use of Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management, explores innovative nature-based mitigation strategies to address the increasing threat.

Addressing Contamination of Drinking Water Distribution Systems after Wildfires

EPA has published a fact sheet of best practices for drinking water utilities to consider in cases when distribution systems have been contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as a result of wildfires. As EPA notes, VOCs like benzene were found in the drinking water for towns impacted by the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the 2018 Camp Fire in California, posing a potential health risk for consumers and loss of consumer confidence. The fact sheet derives much of its examination of the issue and recommendations from these experiences. It specifically discusses:

National Preparedness Month, Week 3: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

The theme for the third week of National Preparedness Month is “Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness,” which serves as a reminder that there are numerous tools and resources available to help prepare for disasters that are free or inexpensive and yet can do much to prevent and reduce disaster-related costs. FEMA encourages its partners to take simple actions like signing up for alerts and safeguarding important documents.

How 9/11 Drove Home the Need for Public-Private Cooperation for Protecting Critical Infrastructure, Including the Role of the ISACs

In a recent post in HSToday, Scott Algeier, Executive Director of the IT-ISAC discusses how the devastating attacks on 9/11 made painfully clear that the U.S. government’s information sharing practices were woefully inadequate and in need of reform. After 9/11, a requirement for dynamic collaboration between the government and critical infrastructure operators was identified as an area in need of significant improvements. Progress has been achieved, but slowly.

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