Leaders in the water industry have an unprecedented challenge in securing the future of their organisations and the UK’s water. But as with all seemingly insurmountable tasks, each step in their journey is more sure-footed for asking the right questions - and seeking the right partner to collaborate in not only discovering the answers, but also putting them into action.

The right outcomes start with the right questions

It’s a tough time for leaders of the water industry - made tougher by the need to drive change securely, and protect continuity, at the same time. But the leaders we’ve talked to aren’t shrinking from their challenges. They’re reaching out, keen to roll up their sleeves and get practical in discovering how to solve old and new problems in new ways. Here are just some of the questions they’re most commonly asking Fujitsu’s help with – and the answers we’re able to reassure them with.

BQ1: How does Fujitsu integrate IT & OT systems to provide a unified view and control over the operations, while securing the assets against growing cybersecurity threats?
Fujitsu bridges IT and OT through secure and interoperable platforms that enable real-time data exchange and visibility. Our Smart Infrastructure solutions integrate SCADA systems with enterprise IT to provide a single pane of glass for monitoring and managing operations. This unified approach improves operational efficiency, reduces silos, and supports advanced analytics for better decision-making. Our deep expertise ensures that the integration enhances security, reliability and performance across your organisation, which is why Fujitsu has been chosen to lead this work for critical national infrastructure organisations for decades.

Fujitsu provides end-to-end cybersecurity solutions tailored to protect both IT and OT environments. We integrate advanced threat detection, network segmentation, and real-time monitoring to secure operational technology, while leveraging AI-powered analytics and zero-trust principles for IT systems. Our solutions are designed to comply with critical infrastructure standards, ensuring seamless protection against ransomware, insider threats, and supply chain vulnerabilities. With our extensive experience in critical infrastructure, we deliver robust cybersecurity strategies that safeguard operations without impacting productivity.

BQ2: What is Fujitsu's approach to helping water utilities to leverage data to make smarter decisions, scale innovations and increase operational efficiently, while maintaining continuity and cost-effectiveness?
Fujitsu drives innovation at scale by leveraging IoT, AI, and digital twin technologies to prototype in weeks rather than months, exploring and proving ways to optimise water operations and reduce costs. Our IoT-enabled systems provide real-time data on water flow, leakage, and quality, while AI-driven predictive maintenance minimises downtime and enhances efficiency. Scalable cloud and edge computing solutions ensure seamless handling of growing data, and digital twins allow simulation of infrastructure upgrades for cost-effective scaling. We also offer modular solutions that adapt to your growth needs without overhauling existing systems. With automation and optimised resource management, Fujitsu ensures scaling is efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with sustainability goals. Over the course of our partnership, our aim is to transition our customers’ businesses from being reactive to being proactive, and finally to being prescriptive.

BQ3: How can Fujitsu support us in achieving our sustainability goals while maintaining regulatory compliance?
Sustainability is embedded in everything we do at Fujitsu. After all, our values are grounded in the environment, wellbeing and prosperity. Our solutions enable water companies to reduce energy consumption, minimise water loss, and meet carbon reduction targets through smart water management systems. For example, our IoT-based water leakage detection reduces wastage and ensures compliance with stringent regulatory standards. Additionally, Fujitsu’s circular economy practices help you reduce your IT carbon footprint, aligning operations with net-zero and ESG goals.

BQ4: What is Fujitsu’s approach to ensuring compliance with UK water sector cybersecurity regulations – for example, the NIS Directive?
Fujitsu takes a proactive and standards-driven approach to enable compliance with UK water sector cybersecurity regulations, including the NIS Directive. We help water companies align with the UK Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) by identifying gaps against best practice, risk assessing those gaps, and proposing and implementing robust security controls for both IT and OT environments.

Fujitsu is also committed to staying ahead of emerging cybersecurity challenges by leveraging matured and tailored solutions for advanced threat detection, predictive risk management, and automated incident response. Through ongoing research and development, as well as collaborations with leading universities and partners, we are continuously innovating to enhance cybersecurity strategies. This investment ensures our solutions are future-proofed, enabling water companies to meet evolving regulatory requirements, while maintaining operational resilience and market leadership.

BQ5: What is Fujitsu’s vision for the future of water utilities in the UK, and how does it align with our strategic goals?
Fujitsu’s vision for the future of water utilities in the UK is to create a resilient, data-driven and sustainable sector that delivers exceptional value to communities, while meeting environmental and regulatory demands. We aim to empower water companies with innovative technologies - like IoT, AI, and digital twins - to optimise operations, reduce water loss, and enhance service quality. Our focus on cybersecurity ensures critical infrastructure is protected, while our commitment to sustainability aligns with net-zero goals and resource conservation. By fostering collaboration and innovation, Fujitsu helps water utilities achieve their strategic priorities of efficiency, customer satisfaction and environmental stewardship.

As water utilities gear up for the next AMP cycle from 2025 to 2030, they have the opportunity to aim for the high road: to achieve not just water security for Britain, but a water positive future. As adjacent sectors like energy have already proven, the key to achieving the high road is ‘partnership’. We at Fujitsu welcome the challenges ahead and have forged a next-generation level of partnership we believe can help water utilities rise to them. After all, our goal in the water industry, as in every other sector, is to build new possibilities by connecting people, technology and ideas to create a more sustainable UK.