With digital signalling en route, could UK railways become a target for terrorists?
From: Railway-Technology.com
As the UK national railways prepare to go digital with a new signalling system, the spectre of cyber attacks has added a layer of risk to rail operations. But how serious are the risks, and what security plans have been put in place before the system is fully operational?
UK rail infrastructure operator Network Rail is in the preliminary stages of a plan to replace the old, analogue train signals with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), a digitalised, more effective system that is rapidly becoming the norm internationally. But recently, an expert in networked electronic and radio systems raised concerns that the switch could leave trains vulnerable to security breaches and cyber attacks, potentially with deadly consequences.
Talking to the BBC in April, Professor David Stupples from City University in London said the government and rail operators are well aware of the risks of hackers infiltrating the system to cause disruptions or even derailments.
| Print article |