Jon Torode
Operations and Maintenance Expert
Saudi Arabia Railways
Biography
Jon is a Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators. He has experience across the passenger, freight, and rail plant sectors, with previous roles at companies including MTR Elizabeth line and GB Railfreight. Jon is also currently a doctoral researcher with Purdue University in Indiana, USA. He specialises in rail technology and his paper entitled “Cybersecurity in Rail: Implications for Operational Safety” was recently published in the Scientific and Practical Cyber Security Journal.
Presentation
Cyber Risk or Safety Risk? A Multidisciplinary Approach to Cybersecurity
A presentation on how a cybersecurity threat can become a safety risk when there is poor coordination and communication between the different functions of an organisation. The aim of the talk is to promote the benefits of bridging the knowledge gap between cybersecurity professionals and operations and maintenance professionals.
Key topics:
The importance of data integrity in understanding asset condition – how a loss of integrity can allow operational safety risk to manifest on assets.
Closing the gap in perception – increasing awareness of cybersecurity on operational assets, not just IT assets. Are O&M professionals aware about the risk they may be introducing? Are cybersecurity professionals aware of what risk is being introduced elsewhere?
A multidisciplinary approach to cybersecurity – creating a culture where cybersecurity is seen as an inherent property of an asset. Are the right stakeholders being involved in policy creation, or are ineffective policies pushing people to have “rogue” devices that bypass them and create more risk?
