“When the water supply is disrupted, it’s not just inconveniences we face. It can have dire consequences, like the inability to operate a hospital,” he explains. “During my time leading the Covid Task Force, I saw firsthand how interconnected our society’s basic functions are.”
UnDisruptable27 is committed to engaging with communities that may not have access to Washington DC policy discussions or Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs), which represent various US infrastructure sectors. The project aims to connect directly with individuals working on the front lines of critical infrastructure in the US, addressing the potential impact of cybersecurity incidents on their daily operations.
“After a data breach, people often believe life will continue as normal with no long-term consequences,” notes Megan Stifel, IST’s chief strategy officer. “We want to shift the conversation and explore new approaches to enhancing critical infrastructure security.”
Corman highlights that despite cybersecurity incidents being prevalent, many business owners and infrastructure operators are still caught off guard when directly affected. Additionally, when governments attempt to enforce cybersecurity standards or collaborate on defense efforts, communities often resist, perceiving it as an intrusion. Last year, the US Environmental Protection Agency faced backlash for withdrawing new cybersecurity guidelines for water systems due to a lawsuit filed by water companies and Congressional Republicans.
UnDisruptable27 is set to launch this week at events like BSides, Black Hat, and Defcon in Las Vegas. Corman aims to meld the hacker mindset with a call for volunteers, collaborating with creative individuals to produce engaging content that fosters dialogue and awareness. From memes and social media posts to narrative podcasts and reality TV concepts, various strategies will be employed in information campaigns.
“Ensuring the security, safety, and resilience of critical infrastructure such as water, healthcare facilities, and utilities is paramount,” states Craig Newmark, the philanthropist funding UnDisruptable27. “The urgency of this issue requires shaping human behavior through storytelling.”