# Water system controllers don't belong on the internet, says ex-NSA chief

_Friday, August 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM EDT · Security · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Water system controllers don't belong on the internet, says ex-NSA chief — Primary](https://image.theregister.com/5285090.jpg?imageId=5285090&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&panox=0&panoy=0&panow=100&panoh=100&width=1200&height=683)

Former NSA director Rob Joyce said water system controllers should not be connected to the internet during a keynote at the DEF CON Franklin Project on Friday.

Joyce said the Franklin Project enlists hackers to harden critical infrastructure. He said voting village reports have been so successful that the whole of DEF CON will now be included. Joyce said the project will focus on industrial control systems.

He said water system controllers do not belong on the internet. Joyce said the project will bring together hackers and infrastructure operators. He said the goal is to improve the security of critical infrastructure.

## Sources

- [theregister.com](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/08/07/water-system-controllers-dont-belong-on-the-internet-says-ex-nsa-chief-after-suspected-iran-attacks/5285070)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/O0qQ0nNsqYUnxXYl_meElU
Retrieved: 2026-08-08T08:31:31.398Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)