Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center Students Gain Insight Into Critical Infrastructure

Students from Mr. Bryant’s networking class at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center were given a rare, behind-the-scenes look at two key utilities that keep Port Allegany running smoothly. As part of an educational initiative focused on infrastructure security, the students toured both the town's wastewater treatment plant and a vital water well supplying the borough. The visits provided a hands-on understanding of how these essential services operate and the challenges they face.

Graciously guided by dedicated borough workers, the students learned about the complex processes behind water purification, treatment, and delivery. They saw firsthand how wastewater is managed and treated before being released back into the environment, ensuring both public health and environmental protection. The tour offered an opportunity to observe the technology that monitors water quality and the flow of both clean and wastewater through the town's system.

As utilities in larger areas face increasing threats from cyberattacks, the tours highlighted the importance of safeguarding similar systems against potential hackers. The students currently studying networking and cybersecurity were able to connect their classroom lessons with real-world applications in critical infrastructure.

"The tour gave us a clear understanding of just how vital these systems are to the community," said one student. "We also learned how vulnerable larger systems can be to hacking if proper protections aren’t in place."

The borough workers were instrumental in making this educational experience possible, providing detailed explanations and answering questions about how the facilities operate.

This visit is part of a broader effort to expose students to various career pathways and underscore the importance of securing public utilities. In a world where cyber threats are becoming more prevalent, preparing the next generation of professionals to defend critical infrastructure has never been more essential.