---
title: "Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for water utility companies"
url: "https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/industries/utilities/checklist-deploying-5g-and-security-for-water-utility-companies/"
description: "This checklist outlines essential steps and considerations for selecting a 5G solution that is secure, reliable, and easy for lean teams to manage."
content_type: "page"
breadcrumb: "[Home](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/) › [Proof Center](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/proof-center/) › [Resources](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/resources/) › Checklist deploying 5G and security for water utility companies"
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---

# Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for water utility companies

Utilities checklist

# Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for water utility companies
5G is the ideal network technology for addressing key challenges facing water utilities, from aging pipelines and cyber threats to shrinking workforces. To ensure that mobile crews, filtration and disinfection systems, and delivery infrastructure across your agency are securely connected, monitored, and managed, IT teams must develop a clear plan for selecting and implementing a 5G solution. This checklist outlines essential steps and considerations for selecting a 5G solution that is secure, reliable, and easy for lean teams to manage.

![Water utility engineer using a laptop on-site at a treatment facility to monitor network operations and infrastructure performance.](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt9ef6e3be6c9c86e7/6ad637f17cefb1af7dce559c/water-utilities.jpg)

## Best practices

- Treat network security as a foundational consideration from the inception of the planning process, not as an afterthought.

- To increase the likelihood of success, assemble a cross-functional buying team to help define project parameters and align expectations of the new technology.

- Work with one or more trusted partners/vendors with specific expertise to drive initiatives forward effectively. Avoid implementing applications using only in-house resources and IT generalists.

- Segmenting legacy network infrastructure and orchestrating policies can be a manual, error-prone, and time-intensive process. Consider whether simpler, more efficient alternatives are available to meet your technology needs. Clarify what you're trying to achieve and make sure the solution aligns to that.

## Planning considerations

- What is the objective(s) of this technology initiative?

- What metrics and benchmarks must the network solution deliver to be considered a success?

- Which internal group oversees the deployment?

- Does the project lead understand the objectives and requirements across all stakeholder groups?

- Has the lead considered likely increases in data traffic, edge computing, and low latency requirements?

- How can appropriate network security be ensured when integrating cellular solutions?

- How will the IT team manage, control, and update cellular endpoints once deployed?

- How long will it take to complete the deployment across all locations?

- How can you prepare for the worst-case security scenario associated with this project?

## Quick check:

### Where does your agency stand regarding these key networking needs for sites, operational technology, and fleets?

| Offices, sites, and stations | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bandwidth augmentation |  |  |
| Dedicated networks or network slices for critical traffic |  |  |
| Hybrid WAN (public cellular, private cellular, wired, satellite) for remote sites |  |  |
| Out-of-band management from wired WAN link |  |  |
| Primary cellular networks when wired is unavailable |  |  |
| SD-WAN capabilities for intelligent traffic optimization |  |  |

| Remote IoT and SCADA | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cellular routers and antennas able to withstand extreme conditions |  |  |
| Coverage for surveillance and security monitoring |  |  |
| Multi-WAN capabilities to ensure 24/7 uptime |  |  |
| Network slicing to ensure each type of data is isolated and suitably prioritized |  |  |
| Remote visibility for troubleshooting and updates |  |  |
| Support for diverse connections such as Bluetooth, USB, Serial, GPIO, Modbus, etc. |  |  |
| Support for edge processing |  |  |
| Zero trust security, including remote and third-party access |  |  |

| Mobile crews and fleets | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cellular routers and antennas able to withstand extreme conditions |  |  |
| Dual modems for SD-WAN functionality and cellular and/or satellite failover |  |  |
| Network access while in transit and at service sites |  |  |
| Real-time hotspot/Wi-Fi connectivity for task support and man-down alerts |  |  |
| Reliable connectivity for AVL tracking and geolocation, even in remote areas |  |  |
| Zero trust network access to applications for internal users and contractors |  |  |

### Let’s discuss cellular and security for your business

[Connect with us](/about/contact-us/)

## Additional resources

[/resources/utilities-campaign/how-utilities-use-lte-and-5g-networks/](/resources/utilities-campaign/how-utilities-use-lte-and-5g-networks/)

- How utilities use 5G and LTE for digital transformation

![Securing critical infrastructure: Lessons from recent attacks on water utilities](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/bltdc1f1fb8bd1ee4ed/6a9b44f737d7f385bd8ea90d/AI_generated_connected_industrial_fieldpng.jpg)

### Securing critical infrastructure: Lessons from recent attacks on water utilities

[/blog/securing-critical-infrastructure-lessons-from-recent-attacks-on-water-utilities/](/blog/securing-critical-infrastructure-lessons-from-recent-attacks-on-water-utilities/)

[/resources/connecting-iot/iot-buyers-guide/](/resources/connecting-iot/iot-buyers-guide/)

- IoT buyers’ guide: Cellular solutions for connecting things