How SMRT is Safeguarding Security and Cybersecurity

Digital transformation, emerging technologies, and 5G network have certainly bought some major benefits to the rail industry as a whole. Singapore’s rail sector remains the world’s most reliable and sustainable in the foreseeable. In the process of making railway operations technologically advanced, rail operators must focus on cybersecurity challenges as well. SMRT Corporation, one of the leading public transportation services provider in Singapore, is taking security and cybersecurity protection measures as it adopts new-age technologies in the field of multimodal transportation solutions. Let’s check what the operator has done so far to make mass rapid transit secure and threat-proof.

• SMRT follows the vision of Zero Accident and Zero Security Breach. It works in partnership with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to deploy Table Top Exercises and Ground Deployment Exercises. This ensures stay vigilant and competent against uncertainties

• The operator has deployed Infrastructures (CI) and Critical Information Infrastructures (CII) Systems on the North-South and East-West (NSEWL), Circle Line (CCL) and Bukit Panjang LRT line (BPLRT). Access control for the systems has been given to security officers of SMRT, who have been trained by Singapore Police Force’s Police Licensing Regulatory Department. 

• SMRT regularly conducts Threat Vulnerability Risk Assessment to identify and mitigate physical weaknesses. SMRT reports threats and vulnerabilities to LTA and other security agencies to take efforts and address issues that can affect the rail network’s security system.

• It has formulated cybersecurity best practices for security officers to ensure they can respond against possible service disruption in a timely manner.

• SMRT has implemented Communications-Based Train Control signalling system to improve its train operations. The renewal of power rails and power supply systems also ensures the railway’s safety and reliability.

• SMRT Trains' Rail Operations Centre (ROC) oversees the Operations Control Centre (OCC) for the NSEWL and CCL. SMRT ROC coordinates contingency and recovery operations, security and cybersecurity efforts.

• It has installed an electronic keypress for employees to enhance the access-control key management system and improve security against any unauthorised access.

• SMRT is working on Project Viking with Certis Cisco to study how to use technology to address security vulnerabilities in the rail system.

• Project Hawkeye started by the operator aims to look after Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and Intrusion Systems at the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit (BPLRT) Depot.

“SMRT is working closely with LTA and CSA to install a robust framework of measures to counter cyber risks. Cyber defence is a continued effort that needs to be constantly and competently validated as well as vigilantly monitored. Joint Exercise conducted with the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force at Tuas Link MRT station. Playing our part to safeguard security and cybersecurity,” said Lee Fook Sun, Deputy Chairman of SMRT Trains.

Commenting on the efforts taken by the company to improve MRT’s security level in all aspects, SMRT CEO Neo Kian Hong said: “Rail travel is the backbone of the Singapore public transport system. SMRT will continue to play our part in maintaining its security and cybersecurity systems by building competencies and a culture of service excellence.”

Conclusion

When implementing new technologies and systems in the rail sector, security and cybersecurity measures need to be considered to ensure resilience, prevent vulnerabilities, and avoid security issues. SMRT recognises that security measures, officers, and the government play a pivotal role in creating a secure environment for its train operations. The operator is investing time and money to improve the security of the MRT network and aims to deploy more security protocols in the future.

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