As Cities Become Smarter, What Does Cyber Security Mean?

According to estimates, by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. Although this seems to be a promising situation, the aging population and rapid urbanization will place greater pressure on transportation, medical care, energy, and infrastructure resources. To solve these problems, cities around the world will have to adopt advanced technologies and become more intelligent.

Smart cities are urban areas that combine advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, and robotics to change human interactions and lifestyles in cities. These advanced technologies collect data and insights to effectively manage resources, assets, and services. The data is collected from various IoT devices, citizens, and assets, and is designed to effectively manage and monitor traffic and transportation systems, water supply networks, information systems, and criminal investigations.

Because smart cities depend on complex, interdependent networks of devices, systems and users, security efforts must address vulnerabilities across a broad swath of industries including energy and utilities, transit, manufacturing, e-government, telemedicine, surveillance and public safety. Threats include crippling industrial control systems, hacking communication devices, holding systems for ransom, manipulating sensor data and stealing personally identifiable information, according to Dimitrios Pavlakis, industry analyst at ABI Research. “In this increasingly connected technological landscape, every smart city service is as secure as its weakest link.”

Some of the solutions that usually make cities smart include smart street lights, smart traffic signal systems, smart parking, smart meters, and household appliances. However, the growing digitization of cities may be a double-edged sword. Although the use of smart connected solutions can improve the quality of life, these solutions are still vulnerable, insecure, and vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Is the smart city protected by the network?

"Network security" refers to any activity that protects the availability and integrity of the network and data. It includes hardware and software technology. Effective network security manages access to the network. It targets various threats and prevents dangers from entering or spreading to your network.

According to a new report from Grand View Research, the global smart city market is expected to reach US$463.9 billion by 2027. With this prediction in mind, it is only necessary to consider the confusion that may be caused by cyber-attacks on connected smart cities. For example, suppose all traffic signals in a city are set to green.

Although smart cities are designed to improve efficiency and productivity, ignoring cyber security may pose serious risks to authorities and citizens. For example, in March 2018, Atlanta, USA suffered a ruthless ransomware attack called SamSam on its “mission-critical” software application. The attack could affect up to 6 million people and force the city to shut down its government computer for many days.

After the ransomware attack, it is expected that in June 2018, about one-third of the software applications used in the city will be partially disabled or remain offline. The hacker asked for a ransom of USD $51,000, but the city refused to pay. However, Atlanta government officials later estimated that they would need about $9.5 million to recover from the SamSam attack.

How to avoid cyber-attacks?

To avoid such attacks, leaders of smart cities must adopt a cyber-resilient way of thinking, with a focus on developing disaster and emergency plans to deal with any type of cyber attacks. Therefore, for cities that want to be smart, cyber security should be a top priority.

Since smart cities rely on interconnected systems, devices, and user networks, cyber security measures should address loopholes in many industries, including telemedicine, public transportation, surveillance, energy and utilities, e-government, and manufacturing.

Therefore, before launching large-scale projects for smart cities, the authorities should prepare answers to various questions. How do we respond to cyber-attacks? Are our officials well-trained and capable enough to handle this situation? How do we prepare the city management department to handle any emergency?

They should also synchronize smart city measures with strong cyber security strategies, and work with security companies to develop network functions and regulate data and network governance. With these measures, smart cities will have the ability to respond to cyber risks.