Protecting Michigan Residents: Mitigating, responding to, and recovering from new threats

As part of National Preparedness Month, MI Environment is putting a spotlight on its work on cyber security and threats to Michigan’s critical infrastructure systems.

Emergency planning is an all hazards discipline. While the focus is on the typical threats that can be seen as they occur (floods, tornados, fire), the threats that can’t be seen have grown in complexity and prevalence over the past decade. In our connected world, cyber security and threats to critical infrastructure systems have become leading threats for emergency management and utility operators across the globe. 

In Michigan, threats and cyber bad-actors have targeted hospitals, distribution systems, and water utilities. Most recently a malicious cyber attack hit operational technology devices at water utilities across the United States, leading to a weeks-long investigation into the source and what utilities were affected and identifying those that may be at risk. 

For the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), its role as the state primacy agency for drinking water and oversight of wastewater operations has led it to invest time and resources to promoting physical and cyber defenses at these water utilities. 

Cyber preparedness participants are only truly secure if everyone takes steps to safeguard their assets and collaborate on response planning and work across jurisdictional bounds to protect Michigan residents and the environment. 

Since 2023, EGLE has taken a proactive approach to reach utilities to promote physical and cyber resiliency. 

EGLE, in collaboration with the Michigan State Police, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), and the Critical Infrastructure Security Administration (CISA) offers free cyber security risk assessments for drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities in Michigan.

EGLE Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Eickholt encourages all critical infrastructure sectors to work with emergency management and security officials to mitigate against potential cyber threats and to establish a truly all hazards response strategy to protect Michigan residents and the environment.

EGLE continues to partner with state and federal agencies to provide training and educational opportunities to regulated facilities. For a more detailed summary of what resources are available to water utilities, visit the Cybersecurity Assessments webpage. 

EGLE has also established an updated emergency planning and preparedness webpage for residents, local officials, and industry partners to gain access to valuable information to advance your planning and response capabilities.