Cyber Security Risk Analysis for Intelligent Road and Rail Transport

Transport infrastructure has evolved from the standard electro-mechanical vehicles and trains to an interconnected machine capable of communicating with other vehicles and trains, and external infrastructure built to share information with the vehicles. The interconnection of vehicles helps with traffic control and management and the efficient use of transport infrastructure and energy. However, interconnecting vehicles raises a security concern, as a cyber attacker can penetrate the network used by the vehicles to launch an attack on them by misdirecting them, stealing information, or jamming the communication. In most situations, a cyber-attack on vehicles or trains can lead to loss of lives as the attacker controls the vehicle or train. The current paper conducts a risk analysis on intelligent transport systems and connected and automated vehicles to determine the likelihood of cyber-attacks and their impact on passengers and the transport infrastructure. The research further suggests solutions to the problem and offers insight into topics for further research on protecting connected vehicles on the roads.