Rail Cyber Security Starts with Asset Visibility

The landscape of railways is at a point of rapid transformation. Traditionally reliant on mechanical systems, innovation has led to increasingly digitised trains that host hundreds of on-board IT (data and applications) and Operational Technology (OT) systems. Responsible for managing everything from passenger comfort to critical operational functions, these connected systems - while offering significant efficiency and performance benefits - also introduce new security and operational challenges. The first line of defence in protecting your trains from cyberattacks starts with the fundamental step of having full visibility of your on-board and wayside assets and systems: a critical safeguard now openly available to train operators seeking a solution.?

The Challenge

In the past, ensuring trains operated smoothly required a focus on maintaining their physical and mechanical systems. Today, however, operational efficiency and safety is reliant on there being effective cyber security measures in place.

The adage "know your enemy" holds great significance when it comes to cyber security. And in the context of trains, the threat you need to identify and understand isn't just a malicious hacker – it's the complex landscape of your own assets. A lack of asset visibility creates blind spots in the security of your infrastructure. Essential systems might remain unidentified and unpatched, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. Additionally, incident response becomes more challenging when you're scrambling to understand what systems are affected and how they're interconnected.

Maintaining system availability now requires a holistic approach that addresses both operational controls and cyber threats. Operational issues can be resolved by gaining greater visibility of your assets, such as identifying all IT and OT systems on-board, understanding their current state and configuration, and detecting any misconfigurations or mismatched software updates.

Investing in a robust asset management system allows you to gain complete visibility over your on-board IT and OT infrastructure. With this knowledge, you can proactively address cyber security risks and ensure the safe and secure operation of your trains.

This increased visibility can be gained through the implementation of a comprehensive asset management system, empowering train operators in several ways:

• Reduced manual work: By automating asset discovery and configuration management, operators can significantly reduce labour-intensive manual processes required for digital maintenance.
• Improved operational efficiency: With a clear picture of assets, operators can proactively address potential operational issues before they disrupt schedules.
• Foundation for security monitoring: With a complete understanding of assets, operators can gain the foundation for effective security monitoring. By knowing what's connected and how it's configured, suspicious activities and potential vulnerabilities within your fleet’s entire collection of on-board and wayside systems can be identified.

By achieving comprehensive asset visibility, train operators can not only ensure smooth and efficient operations, but also lay the groundwork for a robust cyber security program.

The NIST Framework

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework provides a voluntary, risk-based approach to managing cyber security across critical infrastructure sectors, including transportation. This framework can be a valuable tool for train operators seeking to establish a robust cyber security program.

The NIST framework outlines five core functions, each representing a critical step in building a comprehensive security program. The first and most fundamental function is ‘Identify’.

The Identify function focuses on developing a thorough understanding of your organisation's assets, systems, data, and capabilities. This includes:

• Asset Management: Identifying and cataloguing all IT and OT systems on-board your trains, including hardware, software, firmware, and connected devices.
• Business Environment: Understanding the role your trains play within the wider rail network and supply chain, as well as any relevant legal and regulatory requirements regarding cyber security.
• Governance: Establishing clear policies and procedures for managing cyber security risks, outlining roles and responsibilities within your organisation.

By reviewing and fulfilling these aspects of the Identify function, you gain a clear understanding of your security landscape. This foundational knowledge empowers you to move on to the subsequent functions of the NIST framework, such as Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. With a clear view of your assets and their vulnerabilities, you can develop targeted security measures to safeguard your trains from cyber threats.

Benefits of Asset Management

Effective asset management is the cornerstone of a robust and reliable rail network. For train operators, implementing a well-designed system translates to a multitude of benefits across key areas – security, maintenance, and operational efficiency. RazorSecure's Echo solution empowers train operators to take charge of their asset management by optimising the following:

• Improve System Availability: RazorSecure's Echo detects asset availability and performance issues, providing accurate real-time information about device configuration for fast remediation.
• Single Source Of Truth: Echo provides a single pane-of-glass overview of system availability and configuration status, saving time irrespective of the system vendor or train fleet.
• Fast Troubleshooting: Effectively identify and fix persistent problems with key systems, with a combination of historic and real time information.
• Cost Saving: Optimise resource allocation and address issues faster with the quick identification of faults and trends across your estate, increasing asset life and reducing expenditure.
• Optimise System Maintenance: Echo’s comprehensive collection of rich data enables informed decisions on optimisation, upgrades, and replacements of hardware.

By implementing a comprehensive asset management strategy, train operators can reap significant rewards. From proactive threat detection and mitigation, to optimised maintenance practices and improved operational efficiency, the benefits are far-reaching.?

RazorSecure is 100% focused on rail with products built exclusively for the unique requirements and challenges within on-board and wayside networks. We understand the unique challenges faced by train operators as they navigate an ever evolving and complex cyber threat landscape, and are committed to providing comprehensive solutions that address these challenges head-on.?