Cyber security of the railway signalling & control system

As the railway further develops into the 21st century, the signalling and control system increasingly represents an Industrial Control System (ICS) including elements of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Due to the incorporation of common communications protocols and networking devices the system is vulnerable to cyber attacks, such as viruses, hackers, organised criminals and state-sponsored groups. Mitigation measures including a robust security strategy, collaboration with government departments, and technological, social and procedural countermeasures should be in place.