We take our personal safety for granted when travelling by rail, whether it is a daily metro commute or a cross-border journey by high-speed rail. In the context of the millions of kilometers traveled every year, accidents are mercifully rare.
However, even as the rail transport industry moves to embrace the digitalization of systems and operations to improve the physical safety for passengers (among other benefits), a potential new threat is emerging. It inevitably opens the door to risks, threats and the possibility of cyberattacks.
A vulnerable digital future
The future of rail transport is unquestionably digital. Traditional features provided via electromechanical and/or analog electronics are increasingly being implemented with software. Advanced software solutions are allowing operators to have real-time information on train movements and analyze overall performance—reducing costs by streamlining processes while improving efficiency and reliability. From predictive maintenance to automated signaling, and from driverless operation to enhanced passenger experience, digital technology is improving performance and delivering more benefits to authorities, operators and…
