Cybersecurity protects our nation's transportation infrastructure and the industries it supports. As the transportation world becomes more sophisticated, the security measures used to protect it must also evolve.<\/p>\r\n
Cybersecurity professionals play an important role in keeping transportation systems safe. Security managers, penetration testers, incident responders, and vulnerability assessors all help prevent future cyberattacks.<\/p>\r\n
Discover common cyberthreats to transportation, current vulnerabilities, emerging opportunities, and the transportation industries that are most connected to security.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n
The transportation sector remains particularly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats<\/a> due to its dependence on technology. Traffic lights, toll booths, air traffic control towers, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication devices depend on technology to operate safely and effectively.<\/p>\r\n Transportation can also be lucrative for hackers. It holds massive amounts of valuable products, including merchandise and commodities. In addition, infrastructure supports large numbers of people. A successful attack on a pipeline, a port, or an air freight carrier can disrupt supply chains and threaten human lives.<\/p>\r\n Hackers recognize transportation's value as a target and continue to escalate their attacks. In 2022, for example, the Port of Los Angeles deflected 40 million attacks per month, and the number ramped up after conflict erupted in Ukraine.<\/p>\r\n In response to these vulnerabilities, the federal government has passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act<\/a>, which included $2 billion for the Department of Transportation (DOT) to expand its cybersecurity initiatives. State, local, and private agencies can address current vulnerabilities and prepare to meet emerging opportunities.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \r\n Following the 9\/11 attacks, aviation has increased security efforts. However, criminals can now attempt to penetrate digital access to planes beyond physical means alone.<\/p>\r\n After hackers attempted to disrupt operations at several key airports in 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration increased its cybersecurity efforts. Cybersecurity engineers<\/a> and aircraft systems analysts assess threats and partner across agencies to implement effective security solutions.<\/p>\r\n \r\n By federal law, trains operate using Positive Train Control (PTC), which helps prevent collisions and accidents due to human error.<\/p>\r\n While PTC controls select vulnerabilities, hackers could exploit the system, leaving food or farm produce to spoil and potentially injuring hundreds of passengers on a single train. Vulnerability assessors<\/a> and incident responders<\/a> can help protect railways' operational technology.<\/p>\r\n \r\n Ships transport billions of dollars of freight on inland waterways, the Great Lakes, and the oceans. Cyberincidents at ports and in ship-to-port communication can severely disrupt supply chains and passenger transportation.<\/p>\r\n In 2020, for example, cyberattacks on maritime transportation systems increased by 400%. Network security specialists<\/a> can help create firewalls and manage software updates to help prevent these attacks from succeeding.<\/p>\r\n \r\n Trucks move about 72.2% of freight in the U.S. Malevolent hackers who gain access to trucks could use them as weapons, steal their contents, or access private information.<\/p>\r\n These criminals can attack devices inside trucks, at stopping points, at the home office, or through drivers' web applications. Most vulnerabilities are human, not technological, in origin. Security managers<\/a> can help educate and manage employee behavior, greatly reducing risk.<\/p>\r\n \r\n Commercial warehouse facilities contain approximately 1.9 billion square feet of space across the United States. Warehousing works closely with transportation by storing merchandise between shipments.<\/p>\r\n These warehouses contain rich stores of physical goods and data — ideal targets for cybercriminals. Penetration testers<\/a> and vulnerability assessors<\/a> can review and assess warehouse security for potential weaknesses.<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \r\n Transportation hubs concentrate people and merchandise, making highways profitable targets for criminals. In particular, the growing interface between the digital world and physical infrastructure is creating new and lucrative opportunities for hackers.<\/p>\r\n Consequently, the federal government<\/a> and private enterprise recognize the critical need for advanced protection in the transportation sector. Their recent investments in cybersecurity in transportation present new opportunities. Funding supports research, technology improvements, and enough staffing to keep transportation secure.<\/p>\r\n New cybersecurity experts can find secure, high-paying jobs<\/a> helping transportation companies maintain security and freedom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \r\nCurrent Vulnerabilities<\/h3>\r\n
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Emerging Opportunities<\/h3>\r\n
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Which Transportation Industries Use Cybersecurity?<\/h2>\r\n
Air<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Rail<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Marine<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Trucking<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n \r\n
\r\n Warehousing<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n \r\n
Increasing Cybersecurity in Transportation Industries<\/h2>\r\n
FAQ About Cybersecurity and Transportation<\/h2>\r\n