The Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) met on May 24 to discuss issues related to the security and emergency preparedness of the water sector, particularly cybersecurity and supply chain issues.  The WSCC also met with the Water Government Coordinating Council (GCC) the following day.  

The WSCC is a policy, strategy and coordination mechanism for the US Water and Wastewater Systems Sector in interactions with the government and other sectors on critical infrastructure security and resilience issues. The WSCC coordinates and collaborates with EPA, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), state primacy administrators and other government agencies, primarily through the GCC.   

During both meetings, cybersecurity was the primary topic of discussion, with a focus on how existing tools and funding can be more effectively disseminated to utilities that need them.   

The Cyber Hygiene services provided by the DHS Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) would benefit many utilities.  These free services include vulnerability scanning of external networks and websites, along with an evaluation of personnel phishing susceptibility.  Utilities can get started with these services by emailing vulnerability@cisa.dhs.gov with the subject line “Requesting Cyber Hygiene Services.” 

NACWA’s representatives on the WSCC are Talyon Sortor, Assistant General Manager of the Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, and Karen Pallansch, Chief Executive Officer of Alexandria Renew Enterprises. NACWA members with questions about the WSCC should contact Cynthia Finley, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.