Fountain Earns National Recognition for Utility Cybersecurity Efforts
As cyber threats increasingly target critical infrastructure, the City of Fountain is taking steps to strengthen the systems behind the community’s essential utility services.
Fountain has earned a Gold Designation through the American Public Power Association’s Cybersecurity Accelerator Program, placing the city among roughly 60 communities nationwide that have received a designation through the program.
The recognition comes as cybersecurity continues to be a growing concern for water and electric utilities, which rely on interconnected computer systems and technology to monitor and operate critical infrastructure.
The Cybersecurity Accelerator Program provides utilities with a framework for evaluating their cybersecurity practices, identifying potential vulnerabilities and implementing measures designed to better protect their systems.
For Fountain, the designation reflects work by the city’s Tech Services Department to improve protections surrounding the technology used to support utility operations.
“Cybersecurity is a critical component of maintaining reliable utility services,” Utilities Director Dan Blankenship said in a city release.
The city said the work does not eliminate the possibility of a cyber incident, but is intended to reduce the likelihood and potential impact of one.
The recognition comes shortly after Colorado officials disclosed a cybersecurity incident involving two small private water providers in the state. According to state officials, the affected systems experienced changes to equipment settings, including alterations involving remote access, alarms and pumping schedules.
The incidents have highlighted the importance of cybersecurity protections for water and wastewater systems, even for smaller providers.
Fountain officials said maintaining the security of the city’s utility infrastructure remains a priority as technology continues to play a larger role in day-to-day operations.
The Gold Designation gives the city a national benchmark for its cybersecurity efforts while emphasizing the ongoing nature of protecting critical utility systems.
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