Cyberproofing rail: Staying ahead of the threat curve

From policy to practice: Threat modelling, secure architecture and system integration.

Railways are no longer just steel tracks and rolling stock. They are living in digital ecosystems where operational technology keeps entire nations moving. And like any system that is critical, they are increasingly a target.

That was the focus of Episode 2 of our Cyberproofing Rail webinar series, where Mayank Surana, Senior Cybersecurity Consultant explored the state of cybersecurity in railways. From OT systems threat modelling to the alignment of RAMS, cybersecurity, and risk management strategies, he demonstrated how rail operators can embed cyber resilience into their projects, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional, but essential.

One theme stood out: Resilience must be designed in from day one. Threat modelling is not a theoretical exercise, but a map of where vulnerabilities may appear. Rolling stock and signalling cannot be seen in isolation. They must be viewed as part of a connected ecosystem where safety and cybersecurity overlap.

The session’s takeaways were clear. Work with OEMs to embed security architecture from the start. Practice security-by-design and defence-in-depth principles throughout design and build. Bake in the right controls across technology, process, and people. And once operational, continue testing and monitoring without pause. Cybersecurity in rail is a living, breathing process and never a one-time checklist.

As participants shared, it is not just about compliance with standards, but about trust. Rail networks carry not only passengers but the weight of national infrastructure. The cost of failure is too high.

This was the second stop in our three-part series. Next up on 11 November: What does rail OT cybersecurity look like in the real world? Join us as we explore how theory turns into practice, and how resilience is built where it matters most, on the ground.

10/16/2025 2:48:00 PM