The need for cyber security in Transportation Systems

The development of global trade and an increase in the standard of living have been facilitated by transportation systems infrastructure. The world’s communities are becoming more interconnected than ever due to enormous advancements in the movement of people and goods.

However, with various control systems and supporting subsystems operating together, transportation systems are becoming more interconnected and complicated. The efficiency and functionality of transportation systems have increased with the use of communications and information technology (IT), but this has also raised the possibility of vulnerabilities. The size and prevalence of cybersecurity risks are either unnoticed or unappreciated by the general population.

Transportation Systems – Major Cybersecurity Threats

• Transport network cyberattacks may take a variety of shapes, with variable probability and effects. One frequent method of attack is diverting traffic to the server, which overloads the system and causes a denial-of-service (DoS) for the entire system. The internet is also necessary for ticketing, tolling, and billing, and a denial-of-service (DoS) assault would prevent these transactions from being processed financially.

• Another type of cyberattack is the theft of personal information that can result in the diversion of expensive and/or dangerous products, including explosives, radioactive agents, and chemical and biological chemicals, which is a problem for the transportation industry. These materials, if stolen, might be used to make bombs and other dangerous weapons in the hands of terrorists.

• The number of “machine” devices now linked to the Internet is over 5 billion, and by 2025, it is predicted that the number of Internet of Things (IOT) devices would exceed 50 billion. Highway transportation alone will likely use more than a billion linked Machine-To-Machine (M2M) devices, of which road vehicles will make up more than half. However, for the transportation industry, it’s crucial to secure M2M applications and avoid happenings of mischief and mishaps.

• The interconnection of billions of new infrastructure- or vehicle-based sensors and “big data” analytics promise to open up fresh perspectives on how transportation resources are being used and how safety and mobility results may be improved. However, the safety, security, and vulnerability of these devices to hacking and other abuse are a matter of worry, though.

• Current automobile electronics include a variety of computing hosts, electronic micro controllers, and application software, as well as Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and its component field devices, such as traffic signals, ramp meters, roadside sensors, and dynamic message signs. These system’s security measures are generally directed against physical product theft or manipulation. The software present in these apps, devices, and networks is the major source of vulnerability.

Transportation Modes – Common Cybersecurity Challenges

• Roadways – Active traffic management solutions for road infrastructure rely heavily on software. Vehicle software programs typically have 15 to 50 problems per 1,000 lines of produced code. However, this percentage might change depending on the field and application. The issue with improper coding is often not limited to the transportation industry. In reality, a large-system “testing footprint” probably cannot cover even 1% of all conceivable system state combinations, which explains why there are many defects and security flaws in computer software.

• Airways – Cyberspace is currently an increasing danger to the security and safety of the international aviation system. The aviation sector is growing, evolving, and connecting more and more. The rate of connection growth is exponential as a result of how quickly new, creative technologies are entering the aviation industry. Distributed networks, different organizational structures and operational models, interrelated physical and cyberspace operations and systems, and governance constructions with several levels of authority, duties, and laws are all parts of the global aviation system.

• Waterways – Due to its reliance on information and communication technology for navigation, ticketing, and invoicing, the marine sector confronts challenges comparable to those experienced by other modes. The ship’s or its cargo’s lack of control might result in a loss of revenue or have negative effects if it is used in terrorist attacks.

Conclusion

In the end, it can be said that, like other crucial infrastructure sectors like telecommunications, water, power, and agriculture, people and businesses depend on the transportation sector to meet their daily demands. It is conceivable that a large interruption in the transportation sector might result in unprecedented devastation and damage.  

Transportation firms need to catch up in terms of cybersecurity in many important areas. Due to this deficiency, academic institutions are now offering urgently required specialist training programs, and cybersecurity professionals are concentrating on the particular dangers and solutions specific to the transportation sector. 

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