UK-based operational technology (OT) and IT infrastructure specialist Vysiion, an Exponential-e Group company, has won a contract from South East Water to replace the water company’s existing network with a fully managed hybrid SD-WAN. The South East Water SD-WAN will cover more than 300 locations, including offices, depots, water treatment works, pumping stations and remote rural facilities.
The Wide Area Network (WAN) Infrastructure and Support Services contract runs for an initial five years, with the option to extend for up to a further five years. H2O Global News has previously reported on Vysiion’s digital communications contract with Portsmouth Water, which was also linked to the PSTN switch-off.
Network to span treatment works and remote sites
South East Water supplies drinking water to 2.4 million customers across parts of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. According to the company, it delivers 550 million litres of water a day through 9,000 miles of pipe. It draws water from more than 250 boreholes, six rivers and six reservoirs, and treats it at 88 treatment works.
Many of these sites need secure and reliable connectivity for both IT services and operational technology, including SCADA telemetry and control systems and CCTV. The new network is designed to carry both types of traffic while keeping them separate. The site has also covered recent leadership changes at the company, including the appointment of John Halsall as CEO-designate.
PSTN-dependent sites prioritised ahead of 2027 switch-off
Locations that depend on the PSTN will be dealt with first in the initial rollout. This will allow South East Water to move away from legacy analogue services in a controlled way before the planned January 2027 switch-off.
Vysiion will use a mix of fixed-line, fibre, 4G/5G and satellite connectivity, choosing the most suitable primary and secondary services for each location. The companies said physical and logical diversity between connections will help remove single points of failure. This should keep operational services running if an individual carrier or connectivity method is disrupted.
Peter Clapton, CEO at Vysiion, said: “Water companies operate some of the UK’s most critical infrastructure, yet many of their sites are remote, unmanned and difficult to connect. Resilience cannot depend on a single carrier or connectivity technology, particularly when a network interruption can affect the systems used to manage water treatment and distribution.”
He added: “Working with South East Water, we are delivering a network that uses the most appropriate combination of fixed-line, mobile and satellite connectivity at each location. The result will be a secure, centrally managed and highly resilient platform that supports South East Water’s operational needs today while providing the flexibility required for future innovation.”
South East Water SD-WAN and the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
The investment comes as the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill progresses through Parliament. The bill raises expectations on how providers of essential services protect the network and information systems their critical services depend on. It will build on the existing Network and Information Systems Regulations.
The network has been designed to support South East Water’s alignment with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Cyber Assessment Framework and wider critical national infrastructure expectations. It will provide centralised management, end-to-end encryption and secure separation between corporate IT and OT traffic. It will also enable automatic failover and intelligent routing across the available connections.
Darryl Mitchell, Head of IT at South East Water, said: “Reliable and secure connectivity is fundamental to the operation of our water network. With the support of Vysiion, we are now creating a stronger foundation from which to manage our critical assets, prepare for stronger resilience expectations and deliver a better service to our customers.”
He added: “Vysiion’s CNI expertise in both IT and OT environments and UK-sovereign service delivery capabilities will not only strengthen resilience but give us the support needed for our future innovation and operational requirements.”
Delivery with Exponential-e and Cisco
Vysiion will deliver the project with its group company Exponential-e. The arrangement combines Vysiion’s experience in critical national infrastructure, operational technology and utilities with Exponential-e’s UK-sovereign networking and connectivity capabilities.
The network will use Cisco technology designed for demanding operational environments. Vysiion said it is one of only three suppliers selected by Cisco’s operational technology team for Project One, and the only participant recognised as a Utilities Specialist.
Frequently asked questions
What has Vysiion been contracted to deliver for South East Water?
Vysiion has been awarded South East Water’s Wide Area Network (WAN) Infrastructure and Support Services contract. It will replace the company’s existing network with a fully managed hybrid SD-WAN across its IT and OT environments.
How many sites will the South East Water SD-WAN cover?
The network will cover more than 300 locations. These include offices, depots, water treatment works, pumping stations and remote rural facilities.
How long is the South East Water network contract?
The contract runs for an initial five years, with the option to extend for up to a further five years.
How does the project relate to the PSTN switch-off?
Sites that depend on the PSTN will be prioritised in the initial rollout. This supports South East Water’s controlled move away from legacy analogue services before the planned January 2027 switch-off.
Which connectivity technologies will the network use?
Vysiion will use a mix of fixed-line, fibre, 4G/5G and satellite connectivity, choosing primary and secondary services for each location. Automatic failover and intelligent routing will work across the available connections.
