A recently enacted law in New Jersey promises to strengthen the cybersecurity and reporting measures that surround the state’s public water community systems.
The legislation, titled the “Water Quality Accountability Act,” would require water purveyors to develop a cybersecurity program that defines and implements organization accountabilities and responsibilities for cyber risk management activities.
They would also be required to establish policies, plans, processes and procedures to identify and mitigate cyber risks to public community water systems.
“The bill had broad support with all colleagues to move it forward,” Sen. Troy Singleton said. “We saw how important the state’s drinking water system is beyond making sure our water is clean but also that threats are mitigated.”
In September 2020, the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) faced a cyber attack which, according to authority documents, blocked access to “vital” water and sewer information, causing a “public health crisis.”
To rectify the issue, the MUA spent nearly half a million dollars to restore the agency’s…
