Cybersecurity in Rail: Why Assurance Matters for Modern and Legacy Fleets
Today’s trains are no longer just mechanical machines; they are sophisticated digital platforms. From onboard control systems and passenger Wi-Fi, to CCTV and remote diagnostics, rolling stock is now built on layers of interconnected networks. These innovations improve efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort, but they also create new opportunities for cyberattacks.
Protecting trains from these risks is no longer a secondary concern – it is a central part of keeping rail safe and reliable.
The risks are not hypothetical.
Around the world, transport networks have been disrupted by cyber incidents, some aimed at causing chaos and others driven by financial gain or hostile interference. In the UK, the Office of Rail and Road has described cybersecurity as a “real and present” risk to the industry.
For rolling stock operators, the message is clear: cyber resilience is not just about compliance, it is about safeguarding operations, protecting passengers, and maintaining trust.
Securing trains is very different from securing a corporate IT system.
Fleets often combine decades-old subsystems with the latest digital platforms, creating complex environments where vulnerabilities may not be obvious. At the same time, modern trains are always connected, linking with depots, operation centres and passenger-facing services, which means threats can move with them wherever they go.
This makes cyber assurance essential.
Cybersecurity is not a one-off project that can be completed and forgotten. Assurance is about regularly proving that protections are effective and resilient against change.
At Encompass Engineering, we see cyber assurance as an ongoing partnership with operators. It begins with understanding the train as an engineered system, not just its software, but how digital, mechanical, and operational layers interact. From there, we provide independent assessments that highlight vulnerabilities, validate existing protections, and recommend practical improvements.
As fleets evolve and new threats emerge, our assurance approach gives operators the confidence that their trains remain protected and resilient over time.
The reality is that many trains in operation today were never designed with cybersecurity in mind. Legacy fleets, still central to the UK rail network, now run alongside modern digital platforms, creating complex risks that operators must manage. This is where assurance matters most.
At Encompass Engineering, we help rail operators and owners understand their cyber exposure and make informed decisions with confidence. Our team evaluates the strength of existing protections, identifies vulnerabilities across both legacy and new systems, and provides clear, practical recommendations for improvement.
Explore our cyber assurance services.
