The transportation sector moves people, goods, and services to different parts of the economy and generally keeps things running smoothly. Like the human circulatory system, its role is often taken for granted until a problem arises. And cyber-attacks are becoming an increasingly common cause of problems in transportation systems.
Disruption of transportation by cyberattacks could have cascading effects on other sectors such as healthcare, retail, and even the food supply, resulting in slowing or disruption of broader economic and societal functioning. there is. In this article, we will examine the main transportation cybersecurity threats to be aware of and focus on his four pillars for strengthening cyber defenses in this area.
Major cyber threats in transportation
a 2023 survey We found that 55% of transportation leaders are at least somewhat concerned about cyber risk. Here we take a closer look at some of the major cyber threats in transportation.
ransomware
Ransomware threats regularly cause major problems for transportation operators. Transportation systems are particularly vulnerable to system or file encryption attacks because they rely on real-time data and operations. These systems, such as public transportation, airports, transportation companies, and logistics networks, are attractive targets for attackers looking to maximize profit and disruption.
A successful ransomware attack can impact ticketing, scheduling, and operational systems, leading to significant service disruptions. Just recently, in January 2024, he Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has been hit by a ransomware attack that primarily affected its communications systems, leaving customers unable to access its KCATA call center.
OT Compromise
Operational technology (OT) in transportation is all the hardware and software systems that monitor and control physical processes, vehicles, and infrastructure. Whether it's a traffic control system or a railway signaling system, OT is at the heart of its functionality. One of the main cybersecurity concerns in transportation is that attackers can compromise these systems, putting safety and lives at risk.
One reason OT breaches are such a threat is that many OT systems in the transportation sector were developed and deployed at a time when cybersecurity threats were not a major concern. These systems were designed with little emphasis on security and more emphasis on operational efficiency and reliability.
You might wonder if you can just replace these older, less secure systems. However, transportation infrastructure is complex, extensive, and inherently interconnected. Legacy OT systems are deeply embedded within this infrastructure, making replacement or upgrades cumbersome and costly.
Modern digital transformation strategies that bring IT and OT closer to convergence increase risk. When Colonial Pipeline was shut down following a cyber attack in 2021, this decision was a direct result of his security team's concern that an IT breach would spread to the pipeline's operational technical systems.
data breach
The transportation sector is a rich source of sensitive data, including passenger personal information (names, addresses, payment information, travel history, etc.) and critical operational data (logistics details, cargo contents, proprietary technical information, etc.). Data breaches have therefore become a prominent transportation cybersecurity threat, with profit-seeking hackers focusing on leaking sensitive data as the primary objective of their attacks.
Ransomware gangs often steal data before locking down systems, but ransomware is not the only cause of data breaches. Hackers use other methods, such as information-stealing malware or compromising users' accounts, to get their hands on the winnings. In 2024, news broke that an unauthorized person accessed his data in the archives of a medical transportation company, resulting in a breach and impact. 900,000 patients.
IoT vulnerabilities
The use of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and smart devices brings many benefits to transportation services. The benefits are many, from more efficient and predictable maintenance to improved customer experience.
One drawback from a cyber perspective is that IoT devices increase the attack surface. Each connected device potentially provides a new entry point for cyber attackers to compromise. Additionally, IoT devices often have inconsistent security standards and easily exploitable vulnerabilities, making them more susceptible to compromise. Some devices may not have the ability to be patched or updated.
Pillars of strengthening transportation cybersecurity
There's a lot to cover when considering how best to strengthen transportation cyber defenses, but these four pillars provide a good foundation.
- Defense in depth—Use a layered approach to security that provides defense in depth. Don't rely on a single security tool or measure to protect your most critical systems and assets.
- Secure network design—Divide your network into separate zones to reduce the risk of widespread compromise. Select a reference secure network architecture that will help limit the risk of an IT breach entering his OT systems. A secure network design limits an attacker's ability to move laterally within the network and gain access to critical systems/data.
- Exact vulnerability identification—In an industry that relies heavily on legacy systems and IoT devices, it is important to continually identify and address vulnerabilities.usually Vulnerability assessment Penetration testing helps discover weaknesses in networks and systems before threat actors reach them. A rigorous approach blocks low-hanging fruit vulnerabilities that many hackers are looking for.
- Continuous monitoring—Implement Real-time monitoring and detection system Enabling transportation companies to quickly detect and respond to cyber threats. By continuously monitoring network traffic, system logs, and user activity, you can detect anomalies that indicate a cyberattack. If you lack the in-house resources required for this 24/7 monitoring, managed detection and response is a good alternative.
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*** This is a Nuspire Security Blogger Network syndicated blog written by Team Nuspire. Read the original post: https://www.nuspire.com/blog/transportation-cybersecurity-threats-an-overview/
