The level of cybercrime continues to grow at an unprecedented rate in the UK and across the globe, with UK Government figures showing that nearly 40% of businesses surveyed had suffered cyber security breaches or attacks in the last year. Over recent years the threat of attacks has been exacerbated by the increase in staff working from home, from increased political tensions and activity from hostile states.

Ransomware continues to be a focus of cybercriminals and is now the most prominent and immediate cyber threat to rail businesses. If it isn't already, this now needs to be a top priority for rail businesses. There have been high-profile examples in the news of cyber attacks on railway companies which have even led to services being temporarily suspended. Ransomware attacks have also targeted self-service ticket machines and the sale of tickets at ticket offices which has led to significant disruption.

In this latest insight we look at why rail businesses are particularly exposed, the regulatory landscape, and cover the technical and practical ways that organisations can prepare for, and plan their response to, a cyber-attack.

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