Advancing Mobility With Data — Part 3: Secure By Design
As Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies advance at a rapid pace, so too do the cyber threats targeting them. Consequently, cybersecurity must be embedded at every stage of the development and deployment process, adopting a secure-by-design approach. These sophisticated solutions necessitate extensive network connectivity and integration, which significantly increases the attack surface and associated risks. The coexistence of legacy systems with new technologies further exposes critical infrastructure to potential threats. To navigate the digital transformation of transportation systems securely, several key principles must be adhered to.
Defensible Architecture: Creating a defensible architecture is paramount for fortifying the environment. This involves eliminating unnecessary network access points, enforcing stringent policy controls at IT/OT interface points, and addressing high-risk vulnerabilities. By minimizing potential entry points and implementing robust policies, the overall security posture is greatly enhanced.
Visibility and Monitoring: It’s hard to protect what you can’t see. A robust security posture requires maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets, mapping vulnerabilities to those assets along with mitigation plans, and continuously monitoring network traffic for potential threats. This proactive approach ensures that anomalies and threats are detected and addressed promptly.
Secure Remote Access: Secure remote access is crucial for safeguarding ITS. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a proven IT control that can be effectively applied to OT environments. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
Additional Cyber Hygiene Measures
In addition to traditional cyber hygiene practices, the following measures should be considered:
Data Encryption: Encrypting all data transmitted between devices is essential to protect against unauthorized access. Encryption ensures the integrity and confidentiality of data, rendering it unreadable to potential attackers.
Authentication Protocols: Robust authentication protocols are necessary to verify the identity of communicating entities. This ensures that only authorized devices and users can access the system, mitigating the risk of impersonation attacks.
Regular Software Updates: It is critical to update software regularly and promptly patch vulnerabilities. Keeping systems current ensures that known security flaws are addressed, reducing the risk of exploitation.
Incident Response Plan: An effective incident response plan is vital for swiftly and effectively mitigating potential cyber-attacks. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a security breach, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.
Vulnerability Assessments: Conducting regular assessments of infrastructure and system perimeters, as well as internal components, helps identify potential risks and threats. These assessments provide valuable insights into vulnerabilities, enabling proactive measures to be taken.
Maintenance: Maintaining up-to-date firmware and software for ITS systems is a crucial preventive measure. Regular maintenance ensures that systems are running the latest security patches and updates, reducing the risk of exploitation.
Connected And Protected
As ITS technologies continue to evolve, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. By adopting a secure-by-design approach and implementing comprehensive security measures, we can protect critical transportation systems from ever-evolving cyber threats.