Digital transformation has revolutionized all aspects of the railroad industry, providing train operators and passengers with a broad range of benefits. In fact, today, a single train can be equipped withup to 500 individual digital systems onboard, ranging from Positive Train Control (PTC) to Passenger Wi-Fi. 

But whilst each of these systems contribute to a more reliable and efficient journey, the software on these systems needs regularly updating, with configuration changes equally well managed.  And as rail systems become increasingly interconnected and reliant on digital technology, they can become more vulnerable to targeted cyberattacks. Timely patching of systems is not only important in correcting vulnerabilities but poor Digital Maintenance practices themselves can be a source of cyber risk as well as contributing to increased maintenance cost.

In fact, robust cyber security and digital maintenance are two of the most important challenges facing the rail industry today, and the regulatory landscape is intensifying all over the world. Last November, we wrote about how the US Transport Security Administration requirements announced a new cyber security directive, that has broad implications for passenger and freight railroads, and how RazorSecure’s product portfolio can be a fast track to compliance.

In this webinar, we took a deep dive into the complex requirements for digital maintenance in the railroad industry, and discussed its implications from a variety of perspectives.