Digital and Cyber Resiliency: Beyond Compliance and Building a Resilience Culture
UK water infrastructure is becoming more connected, more data-driven - and more exposed.
From operational technology (OT) and SCADA systems to remote monitoring and smart networks, digital transformation is improving efficiency… but also expanding the cyber attack surface.
This event brings together water utilities, infrastructure leaders, and cyber security specialists to address one urgent question:
How resilient is the UK water sector to cyber disruption and what needs to change now?
What to expect from the day:
09:15–09:45 – Registration
Arrival and networking
09:45–10:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene
Richard Townsend (Vysiion / Exponential-e) & Paul Horton (Future Water Association)
Opening remarks and event context
10:00–10:20 – The Crisis of Culture
Paul Horton (Future Water Association)
Future Water: Addressing the “D-minus” rating. Framing cyber as a “Safety” issue using the 25-year Health & Safety journey as a model.
10:20–10:40 – The Value of Data
Anmut
10:40–11:05 – Securing the Flow: Navigating Cyber Resilience and Regulatory Momentum in the UK Water Sector
Gordon Robinson
11:05–11:20 – Coffee Break
Refreshments and networking
11:20–11:50 – UK Cyber Security & Resilience Bill
Paul Horton
11:50–12:20 – Industry Presentation: Cyber as an Operational Risk
Bhaskar Medapati (Business Consultant, Honeywell Cybersecurity) & Alastair Fergus (Territory Manager, Honeywell Cybersecurity)
Sponsored by Honeywell Digital and Cyber Resiliency Group.
12:20–12:50 – Workshop: Cultural Change
Led by Paul Horton
Workshop exploring workforce training and upskilling versus external hiring. Breakout groups to identify barriers such as union concerns and investment silos affecting cultural embedding.
12:50–13:50 – Lunch
Lunch and networking
13:50–14:20 – Industry Presentation: Securing the Future: OT Cyber Security, Regulatory Compliance & the Analog-to-Digital Transition in the Water Sector
Simon Hoy (Vysiion)
Covers CNI threats, IT vs OT security, regulation (NIS2, Cyber Bill, NCSC Water CAF), risk assessment, and digital transition pathways.
14:20–14:40 – Beyond Compliance – Building a Resilience Culture (“Stealing with pride!”)
Dan Evanson, Arup
14:40–15:05 – Report Card Review and Call to Action
Paul Horton
Call to action: Launching the Cyber Risk Maturity Self-Assessment to be reviewed in October.
15:05–15:20 – Closing / Networking
Final discussions and wrap-up before finish
15:20 – Finish
Event close