How to Network as a
Water/Wastewater Engineers in Cybersecurity
Relationship Half-Life Insight
"For a Water/Wastewater Engineer in Cybersecurity, the half-life of a relationship is significantly influenced by active projects and the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Relationships with shared project goals (e.g., securing critical water infrastructure) decay slower due to mutual dependency. However, casual networking without specific project ties can decay faster as new threats and technologies shift focus. Regularly sharing relevant threat intelligence, new security protocols, or project updates specific to OT/ICS in water treatment can extend relationship half-lives more effectively than general industry updates."
The Three Decay Zones
Green Zone: Immediate Engagement (0-30 Days)
Actively collaborate on cybersecurity projects within water infrastructure. Share insights on emerging threats to SCADA systems, participate in joint design reviews for secure OT networks, and co-author whitepapers or presentations on water utility cybersecurity best practices. Offer to provide engineering insights during security assessments of water facilities. Attend and present at industry-specific conferences (e.g., AWWA, WEF) with a cybersecurity focus.
Yellow Zone: Re-ignition Required (30-90 Days)
Engage through targeted online communities (e.g., ISACA, ISA, LinkedIn groups for critical infrastructure security). Share articles on relevant cyber-physical system vulnerabilities affecting water, comment on industry news, and occasionally reach out to offer specialized engineering perspective on cybersecurity challenges. Proactively offer to connect colleagues with relevant resources or introduce them to others in your network.
Reconnection Template (Yellow)
"Subject: Quick thought on [Specific Cybersecurity/Water Infra Topic] - [Your Name] Hi [Name], Hope you're doing well. I was just reading an article about [mention a specific challenge, e.g., 'the rise of ransomware targeting water utilities'] and it made me think of our previous conversation about [mention a past shared topic, e.g., 'SCADA security']. I’m currently exploring [briefly mention current work/interest, e.g., 'new threat detection strategies for wastewater treatment plants']. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on [ask a specific, open-ended question related to the topic]. No pressure at all, just thought it might be an interesting point of discussion. Best, [Your Name]"
Red Zone: Relationship Recovery (90+ Days)
Re-establish contact by sharing a brief, personalized update on recent developments in water infrastructure cybersecurity or a relevant project you've been involved in. Reference a past conversation or shared interest. Offer to catch up over coffee (virtual or in-person) to discuss mutual industry challenges or potential collaborations. Acknowledge the time elapsed and express genuine interest in their current work.
Reconnection Template (Red)
"Subject: Reconnecting - [Your Name] (Water/Wastewater Engineer) Hi [Name], It's been a while, but I hope this email finds you well. I was recently reflecting on [mention a past project, event, or conversation, e.g., 'our discussion at the ICS Cyber Security Conference back in 2021'] and wanted to reach out. A lot has evolved in the intersection of water infrastructure and cybersecurity since then. I've been focused on [briefly mention significant recent work or interesting development, e.g., 'implementing zero-trust architectures in municipal water systems']. I'd love to hear what you've been working on and if there's anything interesting on your radar in our shared space. If you're open to it, I'd enjoy catching up over a quick virtual coffee to share updates and see if there are any areas of mutual interest. Looking forward to hearing from you, [Your Name]"
High-Value Reciprocity Angle
Water/Wastewater Engineers bring unique operational technology (OT) knowledge, regulatory compliance expertise (e.g., EPA, state-specific water quality standards), and a deep understanding of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities that cybersecurity professionals often lack. Cybersecurity professionals can offer advanced threat intelligence, secure architecture design principles, incident response planning, and risk management frameworks tailored for industrial control systems (ICS). The reciprocity angle involves bridging this gap: engineers provide context on critical processes and constraints, while cybersecurity experts provide the protective layers. This mutual exchange is crucial for developing robust, practical, and compliant security solutions for the water industry.
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