Turku University of Applied Sciences develops cybersecurity in water management

Many of society’s key functions and services rely on digital systems and networks. Cyber threats can cause widespread problems. Turku University of Applied Sciences is developing information and cyber security in water management organisations and disseminating knowledge together with Turun Seudun vesi Oy and Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy.

“Water supply is part of critical infrastructure. Data breaches, malware, denial of service attacks, theft or encryption of data are all possible threat scenarios, and when they occur, the water supply of many people is at risk. Therefore, we need to be prepared for these,” explains Jarkko Paavola, head of the Wireless Communications and Cybersecurity research group at Turku University of Applied Sciences and senior lecturer.

The project “Comprehensive cyber security in water management in Southwest Finland” develops the administrative and technical cyber security capacities of the water management organisations of Turun Seudun Vesi and Turun seudun puhdistamo and trains their staff.

“This project will boost us and certainly other water utilities to improve their cybersecurity capabilities, especially when the NIS2 Directive enters into force at the end of this year,” says Aki Artimo, CEO of Turku Region Water.

In practice, for example, organisations’ incident management, cybersecurity posture and security testing capabilities will be improved. The project also aims to improve awareness of the changing environment in which new cyber threats are constantly emerging.

“We pay attention to cybersecurity and we also strive to continuously develop the cybersecurity of our operations to ensure the continuity of wastewater treatment in a rapidly digitalising society,” says Mirva Levomäki, Managing Director of Turku Region Wastewater Treatment Ltd.

Two research teams

The project, coordinated by Turku University of Applied Sciences, involves two research groups: the Wireless Communications and Cybersecurity research group and the Water and Environmental Engineering research group. The research group, led by Paavola, focuses on secure piloting and testing of digital infrastructure and is responsible for cybersecurity training. The Water Technology Research Group will bring substantive expertise in water management to the project.

“We train engineers for expert positions in the water sector and thanks to this project, we can ensure that our graduating engineers also understand the basics of information and cyber security and can help pass on the message to their future employers,” says Piia Leskinen, Senior Lecturer in Water Engineering.

The project “Comprehensive cyber security of water supply in Southwest Finland” will end in August 2025 and has received funding from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the South Savo Regional Development Centre from the grant application “Improving operational reliability and cyber security of water supply”.

Turun Seudun Vesi Oy is a wholesale water company owned by nine municipalities in the Turku region, whose task is
to take care of the production and distribution of domestic water for its members. The company is the second largest producer of domestic water in Finland, supplying some 23 million cubic metres of water to 300 000 customers annually.Turun Seudun Vesi Oy maintains and creates competitiveness in its area of operation by continuously producing high-quality domestic water at the lowest possible cost and in accordance with the principles of development.

Turun seudun puhdistamo Oy is a service provider owned by 14 municipalities and Turku Energia, offering its owners high-quality wastewater treatment and heat recovery services in a cost-effective manner.

The article was published on 22.4.2024 on the previous turkuamk.fi website.

Get to know our research