The "Cybersecurity in Water Services Management in North Macedonia" project, supported by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic and implemented by the UNDP, underscores the critical intersection of digital transformation and essential resource management. The project aims to enhance the cybersecurity resilience of North Macedonia’s critical water infrastructure by implementing comprehensive cybersecurity measures according to the EU NIS2 directive.

As Water Public Utility Companies (WPUs) across North Macedonia increasingly integrate digital systems to optimize treatment, distribution, and wastewater operations, they simultaneously expand their vulnerability to cyber threats. Given that water infrastructure serves as the backbone of public health, food security, and economic stability, transitioning to a digital-first approach requires a robust institutional and technical evolution to safeguard these vital services against disruption.

This methodological framework addresses the unique challenges faced by WPUs, which often operate with constrained resources and limited technical capacity under evolving regulatory landscapes. By focusing on risk mitigation, legal compliance, and strategic capacity building, the framework provides a structured pathway for utilities to transition from viewing cybersecurity as a technical hurdle to embracing it as an institutional imperative. Through the analysis of three pilot case studies, this report offers actionable findings and recommendations designed to build systemic resilience, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of water services and the long-term preservation of environmental integrity in an increasingly digitized era. The methodology integrates internationally recognized standards, including ISO 27001, while emphasizing the delivery of practical, actionable cybersecurity framework for WPUs.