The importance of an effective cybersecurity strategy in today's digital rail industry cannot be overstated in order to run a safe and sustainable mobility system.
As rail networks digitize, exposure to risk increases, reinforcing the need for a robust strategy to secure information, infrastructure and railcars. This requires a level of cybersecurity that is compliant with security standards and tailored by manufacturers and operators with a comprehensive approach for new and legacy systems.
There are three main uses of digitization in rail, each with its own unique cybersecurity risks.
- Firstly, command and control systems are at the forefront of digitization and is designed to regulate signaling and ensure security.
- Focusing on maximizing efficiency and maintaining timeline adherence rail traffic and operations more and more sensors, software, electronic communications assets and connected devices that require secure connections and data protection becomes addicted.
- Finally, with largely centralized systems There are passenger-facing applications that rely on secure interaction.
Digitalization, While providing a broad scope of benefits across all three of these core operations, their interdependencies are critical to ensuring smooth operations. No branch of the business can operate independently and its cyber strategy cannot operate in isolation.
Automation, It is an obvious example of an increasingly digitized operation that is heavily dependent on software, with significant implications for cybersecurity.
Alstom's innovative signaling solutions are helping to revolutionize rail communications by reducing roadside objects and providing more intelligence and functionality to every train. Trackside equipment is now “smarter” and more technologically advanced.
The on-board enclosure of a train's operational "brain" means that software often precedes hardware, creating hundreds, and in some networks, thousands of onboard data processors that must operate safely and securely. Centralizing onboard data operations means less reliance on line-edge infrastructure, making the technology easier and more economical to maintain. It also helps optimize train operations by increasing communication speeds with other trains and control centers, providing increased line capacity and expanded passenger or freight volumes.
Digitization also paves the way for more predictive maintenance, allowing software to identify faulty or malfunctioning equipment before it fails. This reduces the need for maintenance work, allowing maintenance personnel to be redeployed to other areas of operation that need personnel.
But all these innovations need to work with cybersecurity strategies that protect data, software, connectivity, and the hardware that processes and manages them. More digitization means more digital components and interconnections between systems, bringing with them more potential exposure areas. In short, the “attack surface” is larger and potentially more exposed.
Cyber security inside and outside
Alstom firmly believes that cybersecurity should be placed at the center of a railroad company's culture of excellence. This includes not only developing cybersecurity expertise, but also aligning cybersecurity and rail operations teams. Training and developing a cybersecurity culture that complies with industry standards and regulations creates solid and common ground.
Addresses the entire cybersecurity lifecycle, internally and externally, by meeting the highest industry standards for information security, ISO 27001, the international cybersecurity standard for industrial control systems, IEC 62443 and certain railway standards, as well as being heavily involved in the identification and deployment processes. we take standard: TS50701.
Managing risks for new and legacy systems
Designs for all new Alstom projects prioritize cybersecurity alongside traditional engineering and security considerations. All of Alstom's product development is carried out on a “secure by design” basis, starting with a comprehensive risk analysis and an architectural framework that focuses heavily on the integration of cybersecurity.
All systems developed, commissioned and maintained by the company are equipped with protection defined to protect operations against cyber threats. This includes implementing systems with design features that give operators the flexibility to make relatively easy and cost-effective changes to future safety needs. Railway operators have to deal with a combination of new and old systems. It is vital that these assets are included in a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy to minimize risk both now and in the future.
The challenges are not insignificant: poor design that does not protect against evolving cyber threats can compromise the security and operational response of entire networks. Therefore, the need to consider cybersecurity on day one in the development of any new project is very clear. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and so should coping strategies.
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