Safety fears as hackers infiltrate rail network systems

Risk: the network has been targeted several times by hackers

Bruno Vincent/Getty Images

13 July 2016

Fears have been raised for the safety of train passengers after it was revealed hackers have infiltrated systems with four major cyber attacks in the past year.

The breaches have seen the hackers access systems that control physical infrastructure on the railways, such as signals.

Experts have said that the issue poses a particular risk to high-speed lines, where hackers could change the speed limit, resulting in trains being run off the tracks.

Most of the British rail network still uses analogue technology, but as digital systems are installed they raise the risk of being targeted by hackers.

The attacks were discovered by Darktrace, a British cybersecurity firm that protects much of the UK's railway network.

Dave Palmer, the chief technology officer of Darktrace, told the Telegraph: "In an era of imperfect defences and increasingly complex networks, determined threats can always get in.

"Today, all businesses can be affected, regardless of size or sector."

Computer experts working for foreign governments could be behind the breaches, it was claimed.

Network Rail, which is not a Darktrace customer, said safety was a "top priority"m as the network continues to introduce digital rail technology.

A spokesman said: "Britain has the safest major railway in Europe... safety is our top priority, which is why we work closely with government, the security services, our partners and suppliers in the rail industry and security specialists to combat cyber threats.

"Digital in-cab signalling is used safely and effectively by dozens of countries in Europe and around the world and is similar to technology already in use on the Tube and other metro systems in this country."

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