Regional water authority talks cyber security

Regional water supply officials say the Peace River system is safer than the small Florida community that was hacked and nearly poisoned in February.

One major difference between the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Authority and the Oldsmar community near Tampa is the Peace River system is not connected to the internet, Deputy Director Mike Coates told the water authority commissioners Wednesday in Charlotte County.

Unlike the Oldsmar system of 15,000 people, the regional water authority serves about 1 million people in three counties — Charlotte, DeSoto and Sarasota with Manatee participating for future interests. The regional authority has about 80 miles of pipeline.