Alstom contributes to first international railway cybersecurity standard

Alstom is playing a significant role in the creation of the first international cybersecurity standard tailored for the railway industry. This upcoming standard, building upon established frameworks like IEC 62443 and CENELEC TS-50701, seeks to unify and strengthen the protection of rail networks, rolling stock, and operational control systems against escalating cyber threats.

Existing standards like IEC 62443 provide a foundation for securing industrial automation and control systems. However, the inherent complexity and distributed nature of railway systems necessitate a more sector-specific approach, which the TS 50701 standard addresses. The forthcoming international standard, IEC 63452, will integrate these elements into a cohesive, railway-focused solution.

The importance of these new standards is multi-faceted. They facilitate threat identification and risk assessment, guide the implementation of crucial security controls such as network segmentation and access management, and establish clear protocols for incident response and recovery. Furthermore, they support the ongoing process of system updates and vulnerability patching.

Alstom emphasizes that these standards are vital for fostering trust and interoperability within the rail sector, providing a common language for stakeholders and ensuring consistent security practices across the entire ecosystem. By adhering to these standards, the company aims to ensure its systems are future-proofed against emerging threats while also streamlining supply chain security practices, thereby reducing integration costs and accelerating project delivery.