The WaterSAFE project addresses the growing threat of malicious attacks on water distribution Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), an unprecedented risk to public health, safety, and critical infrastructure operations. While the integration of Information Technology with Operational Technology in water organizations has revolutionized the evolution of smart water systems, it has also exposed security vulnerabilities.
WaterSAFE introduces a groundbreaking CPS security-as-a-service solution for water distribution systems. The proposed system is composed of several components, including a Digital Twin platform to enable emulation of various scenarios; an early warning System for detecting anomalies and unusual patterns in water quality which could be due to contamination events; and a training module to help prepare water operators and IT personnel for responding to cyber-physical threats.
The system will be demonstrated in proof-of-concept on the physical small-scale KIOS Water Security Testbed, under various realistic, as well as in controlled experiments on the large-scale Limassol Smart Water Living Lab. Workshops with stakeholders will evaluate and validate the tool’s practical application and business case.
WaterSAFE uses scientific results from the ERC Synergy Grant “Water-Futures: Designing the Next Generation of Urban Drinking Water Systems” (www.waterfutures.eu), awarded to Prof. Polycarpou in 2020, in collaboration with three other principal investigators from Germany, Greece and the Netherlands. Water-Futures integrates new technologies in automation and machine learning to create more resilient, equitable and efficient water solutions for cities of the future.
The project’s results will enable water utilities to implement stronger risk management, respond faster and more effectively to incidents, and subsequently meet EU regulations, fostering a cybersecurity culture within the water sector.
WaterSAFE project requires a multidisciplinary team and specialized infrastructure to ensure the successful design, development, validation, and commercialization of the platform. For this reason, KIOS collaborates with PHOEBE Research and Innovations Ltd, an SME, specializing in IoT analytics solutions in smart building and smart water systems.
The WaterSAFE project received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
