TSA directs freight railroads to bolster cybersecurity

Although no U.S freight railroads have experienced catastrophic ransomware attacks, it is better to begin to take precausions now rather than later. These new requirements implemented by the Transportation Security Administration will take into effect December 31st wich mandates “all freight rail operators designate a cybersecurity coordinator, develop an incident response plan and conduct a vulnerability assessment.” Similar mandate was also directed to passenger rail and public transit operators with the intentions to “keep the traveling public safe and protect critical infrastructure from evolving threats”.

Due to the ransomware attacks that happened to CSX as well as OmniTrax earilier this year, these new cybersecurity requirements are to prevent future attacks as they sometimes end in devistating impacts on operations.