The link between AI and OT cybersecurity for water systems
In the 2025 Black & Veatch Water Report, 95% of survey respondents indicated public safety and welfare are a primary priority in terms of cyber security. Jim Schultz, a principal consultant for OT cybersecurity at Black & Veatch, discusses the mutually beneficial relationship between AI and cybersecurity, particularly in the context of utility resilience.
He explains how AI can significantly assist cybersecurity by processing vast amounts of data, such as log files, which are too voluminous for human analysis. It also excels at identifying anomalies compared to a baseline, which can be used for triggers to alert administrators to potential compromises and free up human personnel for higher-level tasks.
(Editor's note: The descriptoin for this video was written with the assistance of generative AI.)
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About the Author
Bob Crossen
Editorial Director
Bob Crossen is the editorial director for WaterWorld Magazine, Wastewater Digest, Stormwater Solutions, and Water Quality Products, which compose the Endeavor Business Media Water Group. Crossen graduated from Illinois State University in Dec. 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in German and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. He has worked in business-to-business journalism covering the drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and point-of-use/point-of-entry markets since April or 2016. Crossen can be reached at [email protected] or 847.954.7980.
Mandy Crispin
Mandy Crispin is the editor-in-chief of WaterWorld magazine and co-host of water industry podcast Talking Under Water. She can be reached at [email protected].