Navigating the CPS Blind Spot: Unveiling Hidden Risks in Water Utility Cybersecurity

Traditional vulnerability management creates a perilous “blind spot” in water utilities by overlooking 38% of the highest-risk cyber-physical systems when relying solely on standard severity scores. Attackers, including Russian state-sponsored groups, exploit these unaddressed gaps—such as insecure protocols and known vulnerabilities—to target critical control systems, threatening to disrupt water supplies and endanger public safety. By adopting a comprehensive exposure management strategy that prioritizes real-world risks, utilities can eliminate this blind spot and fortify their resilience against sophisticated cyber threats in an ever-shifting landscape.