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Madison board approves SCADA cybersecurity upgrades for water and sewer systems
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Safety approved two contracts to modernize the city's water and wastewater SCADA communications after a CISA alert; the combined contract totals $87,000 and moves remote equipment onto a private Verizon network, officials said.
The Board of Public Works and Safety voted Aug. 3 to approve two related contracts to upgrade and secure the city’s water and wastewater SCADA communications systems.
Brian Jackson, the board’s utilities lead, told members a recent cybersecurity notification from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) prompted the review. "Following a cybersecurity notification from CISA, we evaluated the cellular communication equipment used in the routine operation of both the city's water and wastewater SCADA systems," Jackson said. He recommended replacing outdated modems and switching both systems to a private Verizon network to prevent external access and reduce cyber risk.
Jackson recommended awarding the cellular-modem work (total listed in the packet as $47,500) and a separate switch-and-fiber replacement package (listed at $39,500) to Maxim Automation. "This is going to privatize us and put us in our own little world so no one else can access it but us," Jackson said, explaining the change reduces exposure to internet‑facing IP addresses. Board members asked about monthly costs and on-call support; Jackson said Verizon monthly fees will continue and Maxim provides 24/7 support for critical failures. The board approved both agreements and directed staff to finalize contracts and return signed copies to the board.
The upgrades are described in the staff packet as routine replacement of obsolete equipment and not an expansion of plant capacity. Implementation was described as beginning immediately after contract execution and requiring several weeks for installation and testing across lift stations, wells and treatment plants.
