OPSWAT Founder and CEO Benny Czarny Warns America's Critical Infrastructure Is the New Frontline of Cyber Warfare on YourUpdateTV

From Power Grids to Hospitals to Water Systems, the Systems Americans Depend on Every Day Are Facing an Escalating Wave of Cyber Threats

Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure continue to make headlines , leaving Americans wondering how threats have evolved and what can be done. Here are some expert insights from Czarny:

Why have systems like the power grid, water, and hospitals become such attractive targets for cyberattacks?

For Czarny, the answer comes down to vulnerability and impact. "These critical systems, like our water, our energy, are extremely easy targets because they are not really designed or built for today's cybersecurity attacks," he said. Adversaries choose these targets deliberately because a single breach can cause widespread harm. "Every successful attack is going to impact thousands of lives. Think yourself without water, without energy."

"Our enemies are very much aware of that and are leveraging that to attack us," Czarny warned. "And this is very much happening now." He points to a recent example that hit close to when Georgia’s Clayton County Water Authority said cyber activity caused a water pressure drop that impacted 300,000 households and forced it to issue a water boil advisory.

How has cyber warfare changed and why is prevention now more important than detection?

The democratization of cyberattack technology has fundamentally changed the threat landscape. "Cyberattack technologies that were available only to a few governments only a few years ago are now available to everybody," Czarny explained. "AI is leveling everything."

This shift means the old model of detecting an attack after it has happened is no longer sufficient. "We need to move to a prevention-based approach," he said.

Rather than waiting to respond to a breach, organizations protecting critical infrastructure must build systems strong enough to stop attacks before they cause harm, especially given how quickly and broadly the damage can spread once a critical system is compromised.

Looking ahead, what are the emerging threats we should be preparing for?

Czarny sees attacks on critical infrastructure as the defining cybersecurity challenge of the coming years. He calls for a new generation of protective technologies, including tools that go beyond the traditional firewall, and outlines many of them in his book, Cybersecurity Upside Down .

As the definition of critical infrastructure continues to expand to include space-based systems powering communications, , AI, and global commerce, the urgency to fortify these systems with stronger, more modern defenses has never been greater.

What is the one thing you want the average family to know when it comes to protecting themselves in this new environment?

Czarny's advice for families starts with the basics at and extends to civic action. For personal protection, he recommends using a reputable antivirus, keeping all devices updated, and never opening links or emails from unknown senders. But he goes further, encouraging Americans to hold their elected officials accountable. "Talk to your government, talk to your congressman," he said. "Ask them, what are you doing to protect our critical infrastructure? Compare your state to other states, maybe sometimes to other countries." For Czarny, protecting America's critical systems is not just a job for cybersecurity experts. It is a civic responsibility.

To advance your cybersecurity knowledge and skills, visit OPSWAT's free cybersecurity academy .

Benny Czarny is the CEO and Founder of OPSWAT, a global leader in critical infrastructure protection. With over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, Benny has built OPSWAT into a trusted partner for governments and organizations protecting the world's most critical systems. He is also the author of Cybersecurity Upside Down, a guide to understanding and navigating the evolving cyber threat landscape. Benny is a frequent speaker at major cybersecurity conferences and a leading voice on the intersection of technology, national security, and critical infrastructure protection.

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