Security Solutions for the Water Industry
In a dynamic world, securing the water industry is of critical importance. Our comprehensive access control solutions provide reliable protection for water sector organizations.
Secure critical infrastructure now!
Supplying the population with high-quality drinking water is essential for a functioning economy. Equally important is effective wastewater management to protect the environment from contamination and prevent the spread of disease. The primary goal of access control is to prevent unauthorized access and ensure uninterrupted operations.
Why security matters for water utilities
Each person in Germany uses approximately 129 liters of drinking water per day for various purposes (source: www.bdew.de). Additionally, around 9 billion cubic meters of wastewater are treated daily (source: www.destatis.de). More than 6,000 water utility companies are responsible for providing drinking water and wastewater services – ranging from large private enterprises to small municipal operations.
This complex network of dependencies makes the water industry a critical infrastructure. It not only relies on a stable power supply but also ensures uninterrupted service for other critical sectors such as the food industry and healthcare.
In Germany, high technical standards and strict legal regulations (e.g. WRRL, WHG, TrinkwV) govern the quality and safety of water services. A modern access control system and a comprehensive security strategy are essential components for safeguarding supply and infrastructure integrity.
Water Sector Providers
| Industry | Services |
|---|---|
| Public Drinking Water Supply | Extraction, treatment, distribution, control and monitoring |
| Public Wastewater Services | Urban drainage, wastewater treatment and discharge, control and monitoring |
Source: Sector classification and critical services according to the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, July 2024
How access control supports you
in meeting diverse requirements
As a long-standing partner and provider of security and access control solutions, Interflex understands the specific needs of water sector organizations. We support you in analyzing your existing security concepts and systems, and in selecting appropriate physical security measures. Together, we develop and implement a robust, reliable access control system tailored to your security requirements.
Restricted Access to Sensitive Areas
Whether control rooms, switchgear, treatment plants, chemical storage or pumping stations – water and wastewater utilities have sensitive areas that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. Access control solutions help clearly define these areas and enable comprehensive electronic monitoring and logging of access events.
Regulatory Compliance
Water sector companies must comply with numerous technical standards and strict legal requirements to ensure drinking water quality and meet environmental regulations. In addition, providers are expected to implement international regulations such as KRITIS directives or NIS2 through appropriate physical security measures. Standards like ISO/IEC27002:2022 also require adequate protection of secure areas via access control. A modern access control system helps meet these regulatory demands.
Identification and Authentication of Staff, Suppliers and Visitors
Operational risks such as user errors and technical faults often arise from untrained or unauthorized individuals gaining access. Access control enables transparent monitoring of access via personalized credentials – based on roles and responsibilities – or according to shift schedules, and helps prevent misuse of access media.
Interflex Access Control:
Flexibility and Security for All Use Cases
Protection against sabotage, vandalism and unauthorized access
Locations: Water Treatment Facilities
Recommended Solutions:
- Multifactor Authentication: Modern credential technologies such as LEGIC advant and Mifare DESFire EV3, smartphone-based Key App (3-pass authentication), and PIN codes at access terminals.
- Biometric Scanner Solutions: From 2D/3D fingerprint verification to facial, iris, and hand vein recognition.
- Alarm and Emergency Management via Central System IF-6040 Access: Documentation of unauthorized access and security-related incidents, with automatic alerts to security personnel – for example, through door status monitoring.
- Vandalism-Resistant Access Terminals designed for outdoor installations.
Your Advantages:
- With modern, encrypted authentication and credential technologies, you can meet the requirements of your security concepts and establish a high level of protection for your organization and critical infrastructure.
- Effective protection against unauthorized access to highly sensitive areas reduces the risk of sabotage and vandalism.
- In the event of a security incident – or during audits – you can provide full transparency on all granted access rights and demonstrate, through comprehensive access logs, who accessed which area and when.
Protecting Water Quality
Locations: Pump Stations and Water Distribution Reservoirs
Recommended Solutions:
- Central System IF-6040 Access: Instead of decentralized control, a centralized system manages all connected facilities and access points, with audit-proof logging of all access events in real time. Integration with a central control room is also possible.
- Multi-Level Access Control and Approval Workflows: Access rights for employees can be restricted based on roles, functions, location, and time. For example, access to facilities can be managed and logged according to shift schedules. Additional security is provided through manual review of requested access rights by security personnel.
- Third-Party Portal: Controls access rights and verifies identities of external service providers and suppliers for specific areas and timeframes – for example, technicians and engineers performing maintenance, servicing, or repairs.
Your Advantages:
- By consolidating all monitoring solutions into a central control room and integrating existing access systems - especially for remote or decentralized facilities - you gain a holistic view of your security measures. In the event of a security incident, rapid response is possible.
- A high level of automation in assigning access rights saves time and reduces the workload of your security team. It also helps meet key KRITIS audit requirements and ensures that granted rights can be reviewed and verified at any time.
- The high integration capability of our solutions strengthens your overall security strategy. For example, you can combine access control with video surveillance or alarm systems to prevent break-ins outside of regular working hours.
Protecting Sensitive Data and Technical Equipment
Locations: Administrative and Office Buildings
Recommended Solutions:
- Scalable and flexible IF-6040 access system for defining and cross-organizational management of access rights, access profiles, and room zones with varying access restrictions.
- Encrypted, certificate-based PKI communication using proprietary Interflex certificates or customer-specific encryption to protect connected systems against unauthorized attacks.
- Visitor Management with a standardized process from invitation to reception, identity verification, safety briefings, and audit-proof documentation of visits.
Your Advantages:
- With an adaptable system, you can respond quickly and efficiently to changing security requirements and staffing needs. You gain transparency, simplified administration, and a comprehensive overview of your organization’s rights and role management.
- A flexible software solution like IF-6040 allows your security team to adjust access to critical facilities individually and at any time.
- You also effectively and verifiably prevent unauthorized presence of visitors or service providers on your premises without proper instruction. This protects your company assets and your personnel.
Secure your business:
5 steps to a reliable access control system
- 1
Analyse
Comprehensive analysis of your security requirements and existing systems
2
Planning
Development of a tailor-made security concept
3
Installation
Installation and configuration of the components relevant to you
4
Handover
Training for safe use of your system
5
Support
Regular and reliable service and support
Why KRITIS companies choose Interflex
Maximum security with minimum effort
With Interflex, KRITIS companies can manage their access and authorization processes digitally, automatically, and efficiently. Whether it's escalations, special approvals, or temporary access, clearly defined workflows ensure smooth processes and maximum security in everyday operations.
Legally compliant and auditable
All accesses, movements, and changes are documented seamlessly and in an audit-proof manner. This means you not only meet internal compliance requirements, but also legal requirements such as NIS2 or the KRITIS regulation – and are ready for audit at any time.
Flexible, scalable – and tailored to KRITIS requirements
KRITIS companies need solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing security and IT structures – without compromising availability or compliance. Interflex's modular systems are designed precisely for these requirements: scalable for growing infrastructures, flexible for individual processes, and future-proof with regard to regulatory developments.
- 0,0 Millionen
Our systems manage around 5.8 million employees every day
- > 0 Companies
Many of the top 500 companies in Europe rely on Interflex
Would you like to know how our security solutions perform in practice?
Take a look at our references and find out how companies from a wide range of industries have transformed their access and security processes with Interflex.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Water Industry
- Which stakeholders are part of the water industry?
The provision and treatment of clean water involves various stakeholders. These include water producers, which may be public, private, or municipal entities. Water distributors are responsible for delivering water through pipelines, pump stations, and distribution facilities to households, businesses, and other consumers.
In addition, research institutions contribute through projects and studies that help optimize the use of water resources and improve treatment technologies.
Environmental protection agencies, as well as governmental and regional authorities, also play a role by overseeing regulations, setting standards, and addressing environmental concerns. These actors are considered part of this critical infrastructure sector.
- What are typical application areas where access control enhances security for water utilities?
Typical application areas include restricted access to sensitive zones such as control rooms, pump stations, and treatment plants. This also involves managing employee access through personalized and clearly identifiable credentials.
Visitor management ensures temporary and location-specific access, especially when regular inspections or maintenance work are expected. For external service providers, access can be limited to specific timeframes and areas, with full documentation and transparent monitoring.
In emergency management or evacuation scenarios, access control allows for quick and targeted restriction or closure of access points.
- What are common security risks faced by water industry organizations?
A major threat is unauthorized access to sensitive areas such as waterworks, treatment plants, or pump stations – especially when these facilities are remote. This can lead to sabotage, vandalism, theft of equipment, or compromised water quality due to improper handling or chemical misuse.
Internal threats from employees or external contractors performing maintenance or repairs also pose risks, particularly if they gain uncontrolled access to critical zones.
Cyberattacks are another growing concern, as facilities become increasingly networked and automated. Additional risks include natural disasters, as well as chemical and biological threats.