"New UMD Center to Focus on Railway Cybersecurity and Safety"

US railways have undergone significant digital transformations, with distributed computer systems now handling many parts of their operations, potentially leaving them exposed to cyberattacks and other forms of sabotage. A malicious actor could theoretically interfere in various ways, from causing delays to causing an accident. A cyber or physical attack on railway infrastructure could be disastrous, especially if it targets trains transporting chemicals or dangerous products. Such an accident can have a domino effect, escalating the environmental catastrophe. Interactions between railways and other infrastructure increasingly rely on digital technologies, making them vulnerable to attacks. Researchers from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD) are working to help the industry use these sophisticated technologies. UMD's civil and environmental engineering department houses the new Digital and Cyber Railway Engineering and Operations Center (DCREOC) aimed at expanding the use of high-tech tools to secure this critical section of the nation's infrastructure. The center will explore the application of quantum computing and technology to operational, logistical, and maintenance challenges in railway engineering. The center will use the quantum technology resources available at UMD, which is home to some laboratories and research centers dedicated to quantum-related research. Among these are the Joint Quantum Institute, the Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science, the Quantum Technology Center, and the NanoCenter. This article continues to discuss the new UMD center aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity and safety of railway infrastructure. 

The University of Maryland reports "New UMD Center to Focus on Railway Cybersecurity and Safety"