Synectics’ Synergy CAPSS Certification Strengthens Cyber Assurance Across the UK Water Sector

By David Aindow, Chief Strategy Officer, Synectics

Cyber resilience is now inseparable from physical security. As water utilities become increasingly reliant on connected security and operational systems, they need confidence that the technology protecting essential assets and services is itself protected against cyber threats.

Synectics’ Synergy security and surveillance platform has achieved certification under the National Protective Security Authority's (NPSA) Cyber Assurance of Physical Security Systems (CAPSS) standard.

The independent assessment confirms that Synergy meets rigorous, government-defined cybersecurity requirements, with protection embedded throughout the platform’s development and operation.

This assurance is particularly important across the UK water sector. Treatment works, pumping stations, reservoirs, storage facilities and control rooms form part of the critical water infrastructure that must be protected. Many of these sites are remote, uncrewed or distributed across large geographical areas.

A cyber vulnerability within a physical security system could compromise sensitive surveillance data, disrupt operational visibility or weaken the protection of infrastructure essential to maintaining safe and reliable water services.

CAPSS provides security, IT, operational technology and procurement teams with an independently verified benchmark when evaluating security and surveillance technology and selecting suppliers. This is increasingly valuable as cyber assurance becomes embedded within procurement frameworks, organisational policies and national guidance.

Following certification, Synergy has also been included in the NPSA Catalogue of Security Equipment. This helps water companies, government departments and critical infrastructure operators identify technology that meets nationally recognised cyber assurance standards.

Achieving CAPSS requires more than adding individual security features. Cyber resilience must be built into the platform as a whole. Synergy supports secure deployment through encrypted video transmission and storage, role-based access controls, device and network authentication, audit logging and system health monitoring.

Its built-in Secure Check framework also helps users configure systems in line with cyber security best practice, including password strength, encryption settings and account permissions.

For water utilities managing connected, geographically dispersed and operationally critical assets, independently verified cyber assurance is becoming an essential part of responsible technology selection.

To learn more about Synergy’s CAPSS certification, visit the website.

‍