Every organization in the United States is at risk from cyber threats that can disrupt essential services and potentially result in impacts to public safety. Over the past year, cyber incidents have impacted many companies, non-profits, and other organizations, large and small, across multiple sectors of the economy.
The Russian government has used cyber as a key component of their force projection over the last decade, including previously in Ukraine in the 2015 timeframe. The Russian government understands that disabling or destroying critical infrastructure—including power and communications—can augment pressure on a country’s government, military and population, and accelerate their consent to Russian objectives.
As a part of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Shields Up campaign, CISA is encouraging for all agencies to think creatively about potential impacts that may affect operations for State and Local Departments of Transportation. Here is the link to the campaign: https://www.cisa.gov/shields-up
CISA also wants to take a moment to remind our State and local transportation agencies on some steps they may want to take in case of large-scale utility interruptions to the transportation management systems:
1. Public Education – Remind the public how to drive when encountering a dark traffic signal.
2. Arterial operators should identify signalized intersections where safety can be compromised in case of a power interruption. Look at operating policies and determine what are acceptable mitigation processes – such as traffic control officers or traffic control with local law enforcement.
3. Refresh any procedures to resume operation from a power interruption. This is highly recommended for any staff who may be called upon to speed up restoration and are out of practice. If personnel are needed at field devices, this is a good time to check if there are enough keys to go around.
These are just some basic suggestions. CISA and Caltrans encourages everyone to review their established policies and procedures in case of utility service failures and take steps appropriate to your operational and recovery goals.
Please access the https://www.cisa.gov/shields-up site for more details and resources.
Transportation Security Coordinator
Federal Highway Administration
United States Department of Transportation