CyberSecurity4Rail Conference to respond to growing threat of cyber attacks in Europe’s digital rail systems and networks

Brussels event on 4th October 2017 unites experts in digital security/cybercrime, ICT and the transport industry to highlight threats and discuss solutions


Brussels, 24 May 2017 – A key conference in digital security for the rail industry has been announced for later this year. Set to take place on 4th October 2017 in Brussels, the CyberSecurity4Rail event will bring together experts in cybercrime and digital security, plus leaders in ICT and representatives from transport and railway companies to discuss the threats and set out a vision for safer, more secure digital communications and data networks in the transport industry.

The recent ransomware attacks on public services and organisations across the globe have illustrated all too clearly the vulnerabilities of our connected world. The rail and other transport industries were not immune from the attack and this serves to reinforce the message that we must all work together to put robust solutions in place to protect our data and networks from further incursion and interference. CyberSecurity4Rail will draw on the experience of recent incidents and the expertise of those who are working to protect systems and prevent cyberthreat.

The conference, to be held at Hotel Thon EU in the European Quarter in Brussels, is entitled CyberSecurity4Rail: Helping European Railways to Build Digital Security through Cooperation and will address senior representatives from across the industries, including top EU officials, members of rail organisations and other transport-related bodies. Speakers will include representatives from the European Union Agency for Railways (EUAR), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the International Union of Railways, (UIC), as well as European Union bodies such as DG-MOVE, DG-CONNECT and the European Network and Information Security Agency ENISA, along with European Police and Crime perspectives. It will also bring together representatives from other modes of transport, especially air, as they begin to face similar threats and challenges.

Confirmed speakers to date include Dr Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of EUAR; Dr Florent Frederix, DG CONNECT H1, European Commission; Dr Libor Lochman, Executive Director of CER; Corrado Giustozzi, Senior Cyber Security Strategist at SELTA and ENISA, Philippe-Emmanuel Maulion, Chief Information Security Officer of SITA, the air transport ICT company, Guus van Es, General Manager for BT’s Global Security Consulting and Marie-Hélène Bonneau of UIC, presenting on Cyrail, a European rail industry cyber security project. Hit Rail’s General Manager, Antonio Lopez, and Technical Director, Mick Haynes, will also be speaking at the event.

Today, connectivity has become key to many critical business applications and functions in the railway industry. It is supported by a diversity of complex technologies and interconnected communication networks and, like many other parts of the transportation industry, fully depends on these digital technologies. At the same time, digitalization has created new security risks that can be exploited for malicious intent. Digital crime is becoming more sophisticated and better organised. Hackers are constantly finding ways to break digital security and such cyber attacks can cause enormous reputational damage and loss of revenue.

As this threat grows, digital security alongside physical safety is becoming a key issue on the agendas of all major transport organisations. Hosted by global connectivity experts Hit Rail B.V., the CyberSecurity4Rail Conference will focus on the key question: “Are European railways ready to prevent digital crime?”

It will take stock of the current situation and identify present and future threats, also looking to predict developments, face challenges and suggest practical solutions, primarily through opportunities for cooperation between railway and other transport organisations and international initiatives. It will also present several use cases from the industry of how transport organisations are beginning to fight back against the threat of cybercrime.

Antonio Lopez, General Manager of Hit Rail, said: “Security, especially in the transport industry, is constantly in the news today – and cyber security is becoming a growing part of the threat we face. Many companies across the transport industry are struggling to stay on top of the digital security challenges in today’s world. Railways as businesses must act to protect their systems and data. We believe that digital security is not a question of competition, but cooperation. Working with policy makers, regulators, peers within the railway industry, companies in other transport sectors and experts in digital security, the railways can make it much harder for would-be perpetrators of digital crime to succeed.”

CyberSecurity4Rail is the third in a series of workshops that Hit Rail has held for the railway industry. For more information on the conference and how to take part please go to our website at: www.hitrail.com/events/cyber-security-for-railways-conference-2017

Press enquiries Hit Rail:
Sheila Lashford Tel: +44 (0) 7986 514240 sheila.lashford@hitrail.com