Cybersecurity, driving innovation in the UK rail industry

As the UK rail network continues its digital development, cybersecurity is playing a massive role in helping to build safer, smarter, and more reliable services for passengers and operators.

Strong cybersecurity is increasingly being seen as a strategic advantage, which supports digital transformation, protects public confidence, and underpins the delivery of innovative rail services across Britain.

Enabling Digital Transformation in Rail

Cybersecurity is critical to realising the full potential of modernisation programmes across the UK rail sector, including projects like:

• Digital signalling: The European Rail Traffic Management System, which is being deployed on major UK routes. Secure digital signalling allows trains to run more efficiently and closer together, improving capacity and punctuality, but this only works with resilient, trusted networks.

• Connected train systems: From driver advisory tools to predictive maintenance systems, cybersecurity protects the integrity of the data these tools rely on. This enables rail operators to reduce delays, extend asset life, and improve service quality.

• Smart ticketing and mobile apps: Cyber-secure digital platforms such as contactless ticketing, journey planning apps, and e-ticketing systems are improving the passenger experience, especially for commuters and tourists. Without good cybersecurity, customer trust would quickly erode.

Several organisations in the UK are showing how cybersecurity investment supports innovation:

– Network Rail’s Cybersecurity Programme

Network Rail has embedded cybersecurity into its asset management strategy. Its work in this area includes:
• Appointing a Chief Information Security Officer
• Launching a dedicated cyber operations centre
• Integrating cybersecurity requirements into infrastructure upgrades (e.g. signalling renewals, remote condition monitoring)

This approach ensures that as rail infrastructure becomes smarter, it also becomes safer and more robust.

 – Thales UK – Securing Digital Signalling

Thales provides digital interlocking and train control systems to UK rail operators, such as SELTrac CBTC, which supports automatic train control. Cybersecurity is baked into these systems from the ground up, ensuring resilience against interference, enabling more efficient use of tracks, fewer delays, and improved safety.

 – RSSB & CyberOwl – Research & Assurance

The Rail Safety and Standards Board is working with UK cybersecurity SMEs like CyberOwl to develop operational technology security tools tailored for rail environments. Their joint research focuses on providing real-time visibility and anomaly detection for signalling, SCADA, and other essential systems, enabling proactive response rather than reactive firefighting.

Building Public Trust and Reliability

The public rightly expects trains to run on time, safely and securely. By proactively investing in cybersecurity, rail operators are:

• Protecting data privacy, particularly with the rise of personalised travel apps and account-based ticketing
• Ensuring business continuity, reducing the risk of service disruption through secure system design
• Building trust, both in new technologies and in the organisations behind them

Supporting Innovation and Sustainability

Cybersecurity is also helping rail support the UK’s wider goals around Net Zero and smart mobility. For example:

• Cyber-secure Internet of Things, which are devices on trains and infrastructure, enable condition based maintenance, reducing unnecessary travel and energy use
• Secure cloud platforms, which support integration across transport modes, and are key for Mobility as a Service and decarbonisation strategies

In the UK rail industry, cybersecurity is no longer just about defence, it’s an essential part of progress. It supports sustainability, improves reliability, and gives passengers confidence in a digitally connected future. By embedding cybersecurity into its infrastructure, operations, and passenger services, the UK rail sector is demonstrating that secure transport is indeed smarter transport.

At Cavendish Professionals, we can help to place skilled professionals to contribute to the development of these smart practices.