Energy and Utilities
Case Study

Publiacqua: embracing cyber risk with greater awareness

A company that plays a vital role in the community

Publiacqua manages the integrated water service, handling the sourcing, treatment, and distribution of drinking water in the provinces of Florence, Prato, Pistoia, and Arezzo. The digitalisation journey started a few years ago is leading Publiacqua toward a broader vision in which cybersecurity plays a fundamental role.

Da un approccio tradizionale ad una vera e propria strategia di cybersecurity

As a critical infrastructure managing an essential service, the organizational model required greater attention to security. The internal security level—which until then was limited to basic tools such as antivirus software and perimeter firewalls for simple traffic monitoring—was analyzed to find the right mix of technology and value-added services to strengthen data protection. The GDPR further introduced privacy requirements and the need to comply with national frameworks. Together with Var Group, a long-time innovation partner, the Security Operation Center (SOC) service was evaluated. Thanks to the certifications and delivery model offered by Yarix, Var Group’s Digital Security division, the event monitoring and management service via SOC has been active since March 2021. Operating 24/7, the service’s core is QRadar, which interacts with heterogeneous solutions such as perimeter and endpoint protection tools and industrial monitoring systems to prevent, detect, and respond to every cyber threat.

Un cambio di paradigma in ambito sicurezza

The implementation of the SOC has created a dedicated security team, which also reflects how management’s awareness of this strategic area has grown. This new structure allows Publiacqua to navigate business developments with full visibility of all scenarios and to keep risks related to compliance under control.

Uno sguardo al futuro

The security project carried out with Var Group has been a key lever for reorganizing services and facilities at Publiacqua: advanced management of the facilities, thanks to the implementation of the service and the consolidation of monitoring and support processes, will ensure citizens an increasingly efficient and valuable service."

Paolo Vinci | CIO, Publiacqua Spa