Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act

# Cybersecurity for Rural Water Systems Act - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would create a new program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help rural water and wastewater systems protect themselves from cyberattacks. The program would send cybersecurity experts to small communities to assess their current vulnerabilities, help them develop better security plans, and document their cyber protection status.

It's modeled after an existing USDA program that already provides technical assistance to rural water systems on other operational issues. **Who It Affects** The program would serve rural water and wastewater systems in communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer people. This primarily affects small towns and rural areas that may lack the resources and expertise to handle cybersecurity threats on their own. As critical infrastructure, water systems are potential targets for cyberattacks, making this assistance particularly important for vulnerable communities. **Current Status** The bill (S 1018) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate.