Four Tompkins County municipalities will receive a combined $135,000 to strengthen cybersecurity protections for drinking water and wastewater systems.
State Senator Lea Webb announced the funding as part of more than $200,000 awarded throughout the 52nd Senate District through New York’s Strengthening Essential Cybersecurity for Utilities and Resiliency Enhancements, or SECURE, grant program.
- Village of Dryden: $25,000
- Village of Freeville: $10,000
- City of Ithaca: Two grants totaling $75,000
- Village of Trumansburg: $25,000
The grants will support cybersecurity assessments and improvements designed to protect municipal water and sewer operations from cyber threats.
Recipients will also receive free technical assistance from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation as they work to comply with minimum cybersecurity standards for drinking water and sewer systems announced by the state in March.
Webb said cybersecurity protections have become increasingly important as public infrastructure relies more heavily on digital and internet-connected technology.
“Our wastewater and drinking water systems are cornerstones of public health, and it is absolutely critical that we continue to provide localities with funding to help them make improvements,” Webb said.
