Our modern society is based on a complex network of indispensable facilities and systems. These critical infrastructures, or KRITIS for short, form the backbone of daily life and public safety. They include vital sectors such as energy supply, transportation, food production and, last but not least, water management. It occupies a particularly sensitive position in this structure, as clean drinking water and the disposal and treatment of wastewater are essential for public health and numerous industrial processes.
New threats require greater resilience
In addition to natural factors such as climate change and the associated extreme weather events, the water industry is also confronted with an increasing number of man-made threats. In the face of growing geopolitical tensions, cyber and physical attacks – such as sabotage – are now more than ever a challenge that utilities must address by taking measures to strengthen their digital and physical resilience. In addition, legal requirements such as the EU NIS2 and RCE directives oblige operators of critical infrastructure to continuously develop their security architecture.
From dams to sewage treatment plants: digital locking technology for the Ruhrverband
As a public water management company, the Ruhrverband bears an immense responsibility in this context: with its facilities, it ensures the water supply for 4.6 million people and treats the wastewater of 60 cities and municipalities in the Ruhr and Lenne catchment area. The extensive infrastructure includes eight dams, five reservoirs, 47 gauges, 31 precipitation measuring stations and 66 sewage treatment plants.
The Ruhrverband has decided on the IKON brand eCLIQ digital locking system to optimally secure and efficiently manage this extensive and sensitive infrastructure. The implementation was carried out in collaboration with ASSA ABLOY partner Walter Müller GmbH from Essen.
Robust technology for demanding environments
Several factors were crucial in the selection of the locking solution. On the one hand, the compact and robust design of eCLIQ was convincing. The high weather resistance of the system components, which are available in numerous cylinder types and designs, allows for use even under extreme weather conditions – ideal for long-term secure operation in remote outdoor areas.
Scalable security and smart administration for extensive infrastructures
Equally important to the association was a comprehensive yet efficient management option. The locking system is controlled via the CLIQ Web-Manager, a scalable and flexible platform that is particularly suitable for larger locking systems or spatially separate locations. Access authorisations can be individually and flexibly adapted from any web browser.
‘With eCLIQ, we have found a locking solution that optimally supports our employees in their daily tasks,’ confirms Klaus Enxing, Head of Central Services / Purchasing at Ruhrverband.
Physically protected, digitally secured: eCLIQ as part of the KRITIS strategy
The implementation of the electronic locking system also supports the Ruhrverband in meeting increasing legal requirements for IT security and physical security. Both NIS2 and the CER guideline / the KRITIS umbrella law derived from it require a so-called all-hazards approach to risk assessment and protective measures to be taken. The eCLIQ electronic locking system offers a high level of protection against manipulation and intelligent attacks and is therefore particularly suitable for utility, industrial and infrastructure companies as part of a holistic security concept that takes into account both physical resilience and cyber security.
