Challenge
A New England department of public works, providing wastewater services to 42,000 local residents, had relied on an omni-directional radio tower to provide wireless SCADA monitoring of the town’s many wastewater pumping stations. However, the system was expensive to operate and maintain, only generated performance data on a monthly basis in the form of historical spreadsheets, and did not adequately address the town’s cybersecurity concerns, leaving the wastewater sites potentially exposed to cyberthreats.
The issue intensified as utilities nationwide prepared risk and resilience assessments required by AWIA (America's Water Infrastructure Act). These comprehensive assessments demand detailed operational visibility and robust cybersecurity measures to inform emergency response plans that address mitigation and resilience options. The department's existing monthly reporting system fell far short of providing the real-time data and security framework necessary to meet AWIA's stringent requirements.
Solution
The department implemented OPSWAT's MetaDefender Optical Diode (Fend) solution, deploying cellular-enabled units at each wastewater pumping site. This innovative approach created a secure, one-way data pathway that transformed their operational capabilities.
MetaDefender Optical Diodes gathered data from local PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and transmitted it through optical isolation technology. This data flows securely via cellular connection to a cloud-based platform, where it becomes instantly available to the public works team in a custom visualization dashboard with cloud-based alerts that notify operators and technicians when there is an issue at a specific site.
How It Works
- MetaDefender Optical Diode installed at individual pump stations retrieve Modbus data from local PLCs
- The data diodes send that Modbus data in real time to the Cloud over the cellular network
- Data from the Cloud is fed into a web-based data visualization dashboard and alerting system
- Operators get real-time data on system performance and alerts via a web interface and email on their phones and computers
Outcome
The data diode only allows traffic to flow out, much like a check valve for data, blocking all inbound traffic and making the sites secure from remote cyberthreats. The new system costs significantly less to maintain and operate than the original omni-directional radio setup.
Since MetaDefender Optical Diode fits easily in any equipment cabinet, is easy to configurate, and requires little-to-no maintenance, it makes for a highly scalable and affordable solution in water and wastewater operations.
Key Benefits
- Optical Isolation Technology: Physical air-gap security preventing any inbound traffic
- Real-Time Data Transmission: Continuous Modbus data collection from PLCs
- Cloud-Based Analytics: Instant access to operational intelligence
- Automated Alerting: Immediate notifications for system issues ensuring rapid response times
- Cellular Connectivity: Reliable, cost-effective data transmission that eliminates costly radio infrastructure
- Enhanced Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive data collection and security framework supporting AWIA requirements, EPA reporting mandates, and state water quality regulations
Looking to the Future
The New England public works department has laid the groundwork for a more resilient and secure wastewater infrastructure. With real-time visibility, proactive alerting, and robust cybersecurity controls in place, the utility is well-positioned to meet evolving compliance requirements under the AWIA (America's Water Infrastructure Act) and other critical infrastructure regulations.
Looking to strengthen your organization's resilience? OPSWAT’s MetaDefender Optical Diode™ provides a scalable, cost-effective way to block inbound threats and ensure compliance with regulatory mandates.
