Supports critical infrastructure security for Hampton Roads Sanitation District in growing OT cybersecurity market

DALLAS, March. 06, 2025 /PRNewswire/ –  Jacobs (NYSE: J) was awarded an operational technology (OT) cybersecurity contract with Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD). The contract encompasses end-to-end cybersecurity for industrial control systems and physical infrastructure, supporting safe and secure wastewater treatment services for 1.9 million people in southeast Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

Valued at $13.4 million by HRSD, the contract is one of the largest OT cybersecurity services contracts awarded by a US wastewater utility. 

“During the past 18 months, cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure, particularly in the water sector, have surged significantly, demanding digital expertise that intersects physical asset infrastructure and operational technology cybersecurity,” said Jacobs Executive Vice President Amer Battikhi. “Jacobs is uniquely positioned to support our clients with our domain knowledge in industrial environments such as water, advanced manufacturing and energy & power, coupled with specialized OT cyber capabilities to defend physical infrastructure and devices.” 

“At HRSD, our objective is to enhance our cybersecurity posture to the highest feasible level, proactively addressing evolving threats both now and in the future,” said HRSD Chief Information Security Officer Roger Caslow. “Cyber resiliency is both our strategy and our goal. Our mission is to establish HRSD as the benchmark for cybersecurity excellence within the water and wastewater sector, ensuring the protection of critical services that safeguard public health and the environment. Our collaboration with Jacobs is a key element to achieving this vision.” 

In addition to providing cybersecurity assessments for more than 30 square miles of wastewater infrastructure spanning the Hampton Roads corridor, the contract also includes design and integration of cybersecurity controls and advanced OT. Additionally, continuous cybersecurity operations monitoring and network engineering allows HRSD to maintain a state-of-the-art OT network that can defend against advanced cyber threats.

Jacobs is an OT cybersecurity leader in water. In fiscal year 2024, Jacobs’ OT cybersecurity credentialed professionals served more than 40 water utilities across the U.S. The company provides industrial cybersecurity expertise with deep knowledge of vertical asset engineering and industrial control systems.

At Jacobs, we’re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow – delivering outcomes and solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With approximately $12 billion in annual revenue and a team of almost 45,000, we provide end-to-end services in advanced manufacturing, cities & places, energy, environmental, life sciences, transportation and water. From advisory and consulting, feasibility, planning, design, program and lifecycle management, we’re creating a more connected and sustainable world. See how at jacobs.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook.