Traffic Technology International | March/April 2020
Managing assets isn’t just about replacement and repair, it’s also important to ensure connected infrastructure is protected from cyberattacks. James Gordon looks at potential vulnerabilities and asks how operators should best protect intersections from bad actors
While the UK’s not Department for Transport (DfT) and the USDOT did participate in the report, insurance provider Hiscox found that 61% of companies they surveyed recently admitted to suffering at least one cyberattack in the last 12 months.
The study also revealed that only 10% of the firms interviewed were adequately prepared for an attack while seven out of 10 organisations failed Hiscox’s cyber readiness test. Kevin Curran, professor of cybersecurity at Ulster University, thinks that traffic light infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to attack. He explains, “Every nation that embraces the smart city concept is at risk. The threat is severe and very
real. If traffic authorities do not take it seriously and invest money into developing a root and branch approach to countering the cyber threat, we could see those cities grinding to a halt.”
Professor Curran says traffic light control systems, based on wireless communication technologies, are particularly vulnerable. “In the United States where these systems are becoming increasingly popular, cyberattackers have demonstrated in the past how easily it was to infiltrate this technology largely because of a lack of cyber hygiene’. Often engineers were using default passwords leaving the IP address free for hackers to access.”
Right: We take it for granted that signals tell us when it is safe to cross. But what if they’ve been hacked?
Preparing to connect
With the advent of smart cities, underpinned by 5G, connected vehicle and roadside infrastructure ecosystems is becoming a reality – a realisation not lost on Sensys- Networks, one of the world’s leading providers of integrated wireless traffic data systems.
“Our sensors, servers, network protocols. Over-the-air-
communications, and back-haul
- all the components of our system include security infrastructure,” says Robert Kavaler, co-founder and chief technology officer for Sensys-Networks.
The company also carries out regular third-party penetration testing with multiple partners to ensure it stays at the forefront of security and potential vulnerabilities.
“Companies cannot rest on their laurels and expect the security measures of yesterday to continue
to protect them, so continuous testing and updating is essential,” says Kavaler.
But as the recent Consumer Electronics Show 2020 (CES) in Las Vegas demonstrates, there are lots of smaller-start-up emerging, especially in the connected and automated vehicle (CAV) space. With many of the new entrants not possessing the same R&D and testing capabilities as Sensys-Networks, does Kavaler worry that some could put profit before security?
” Companies cannot rest on their laurels and expect the security measures of yesterday to continue to protect them, so continuous testing and updating is essential “
Robert Kavaler, co-founder and CTO, Sensys-Networks
“We don’t see there is a choice between profit and security,” he says. “In fact, we believe companies that prioritise both will ultimately win out. That said, mature and stable companies, which have gained experience through changes are at an advantage in anticipating the future.” Instead, Mr Kavaler believes the future is one of collaboration between a host of different players including the automotive sector, the AI companies, cities, and of course traffic technology providers.
He says, “Cooperation with all of the players will be essential to deploying these technologies widely. We’ve been working with Hyundai and UC Berkeley, for instance, on a project to broadcast signal phase and timing to connected vehicles via DSRC to reduce emissions.”
In addition, Kevaler says Sensys- Networks has worked with the City of Arcadia on the outskirts of Los Angeles on a deployment project, which is part of the ARPA-E’s NEXTCAR Program, where he says “AI is being used to predict signal timing that minimizes stops or accelerations.”
So, could AI and connectivity one day take over from the humble traffic light completely? Kevaler isn’t so sure. “Even if actuation loses importance in connected cities, traffic control systems will still need information at the intersection to facilitate traffic flow, and we’re already providing that data today,” he says. “Our wireless
