Greenville Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 5, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), along with Representatives Zachary Nunn (IA-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), members of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, introduced the Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023. 

The bill would expand the successful rural water circuit rider program to include cybersecurity technical assistance and authorize funding to hire a cybersecurity circuit rider for all 50 states. These experts will provide critical services to ensure rural water systems are secure from cyber threats, assist small water utilities in building action plans to protect and prevent cyber attacks and develop and report on cybersecurity for rural water systems across the U.S.

“Our agricultural communities and rural water systems are critical to our national defense, and I’m glad to introduce this essential bipartisan legislation that delivers security for rural America,” said Congressman Davis. “We must ensure our water systems rural communities and farmers rely on have the necessary protections to successfully guard against cyber attacks.”

“The reality is that Iowa’s water supply could be devastated by a single cyber attack right now, so improving the cybersecurity of our water systems must be a top priority,” said Rep. Nunn. “Unfortunately, the changes that are needed to keep our water supply safe are often cost prohibitive for smaller rural communities.  This bipartisan bill will provide critical resources and funding to prevent cyber attacks so that all Iowans can rest easy at night knowing our water supply is safe.” 

Giving rural communities across our country the resources they need to bolster their cybersecurity practices and keep community members safe is essential in the 21st century. By expanding technical cybersecurity assistance to more small water organizations, we can help keep our environments clean and our communities safe and healthy,” said Rep. Angie Craig.

“Over the last few years, Virginians have experienced the consequences of cyberattacks — like the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack — targeting our critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Spanberger. “To prevent future attacks, Congress must take steps to secure our water systems, including in our rural communities. Tens of thousands of Virginia families and producers rely on clean water from our Commonwealth’s rural water systems. That’s why I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan legislation to prevent Virginia’s rural water supply from becoming the next target.”

“The National Rural Water Association applauds Congressmen Davis for his leadership on protecting small and rural water systems from cyber attacks,” said NRWA CEO Matthew Holmes.  “The Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act of 2023 will directly assist rural utilities that lack the financial resources and in-house expertise to defend themselves from cyber threats. In addition, the bill will provide a cadre of “Circuit Rider” cybersecurity specialists to help rural water systems protect the public health of their residents. These Circuit Riders will work in rural communities to assess the level of protection of their water system cyberinfrastructure, develop proper protocols to enhance protection, assist with any inadequate cyber protection plan, and document the state of cyber protection in small public water systems. NRWA is grateful for Reps. Davis and Nunn’s vision to lead this significant legislation will result in a more resilient, prepared, and secure water sector.”

As Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Don Davis is fighting for eastern North Carolina and rural America. He is fighting the good fight of faith in Washington, D.C., to deliver a strong bipartisan Farm Bill that will provide resources and equipment to our farmers, families, and rural communities. As a former Mayor of Snow Hill and six-term state senator of North Carolina, Congressman Don Davis witnessed first-hand the challenges that North Carolina’s rural communities faced in handling issues related to rural utilities and protecting them. Congressman Don Davis works daily to find common-sense solutions for the challenges facing farmers and rural communities.

Original source can be found here.