Israel will create a new National Cyber Infrastructure Centre for Intelligent Traffic & Transportation Systems (ITS). The centre will be established and run by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), leading a consortium of companies including Enigmatos, Alstom, IBI Group, and the University of Ben-Gurion in the Negev as a strategic partner.
Future Vision
The consortium partners will work in close cooperation with Israel’s Ministry of Transportation, its National Cyber Directorate and Ayalon Highways. The new centre will be located in the city of Beersheba. The new centre will also test Israel’s ability to protect against cyberattacks and attempts to commandeer the systems in addition to monitoring future threats. Like any other industry, the auto industry is becoming more and more digitalised, making it vulnerable to cyber-attack vectors.
Esti Peshin, GM, IAI’s Cyber Division, said, “We are honoured to receive this award from the State of Israel to establish the National Cyber Infrastructure Center for Intelligent Traffic & Transportation Systems (ITS). Both Smart Transportation and Cyber-security today are fast-growing markets that must be developed in tandem to ensure comfort, efficiency and safety on the roads. With a wide range of tailored operational solutions and state-of-the-art technologies in all arenas in cyber, IAI is focusing on developing and deploying national-level cyber resiliency solutions as part of our turnkey systems to our customers worldwide.
IAI, which is Israel’s leading aerospace and defence company, is also part of a cyber consortium for the aviation industry, which was set up in 2018.
According to Israel’s National Cyber Directorate, the Israeli cyber industry raised $2.9 billion in funds in 2020, increasing more than 70% compared to the same period last year.
Efficient Transport
An ITS features combinations of various technologies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of vehicular traffic. While mainly focussed on road transport, ITS also have applications in rail, water and air transport and include navigational devices. The future of transport will involve cars with the ability to communicate with other users on the road and traffic components such as stop lights, command and control centres, signage, and charging facilities. Israel’s National Cyber Infrastructure Center for Smart Transportation will simulate a future transportation space, combining a range of transportation means and infrastructure activity.
Partnering for Effect
Prof Dan Blumberg, University Vice-President for Regional and Industrial Development, Ben-Gurion University, said the University plans to organise joint workshops, lead various research proposals on the related topics, provide existing infrastructure to evaluate the results of ongoing cyber research, and take an active role in the steering committee of new lab. University students and researchers are expected to be highly involved in this initiative.
Consortium partner, Enigmatos focuses on protecting vehicles and fleets from the malicious cyber activity and will bring in a team of cyber and automotive experts. “The cyber arena is an opportunity for IBI Group to reinforce our commitment to the security of the infrastructure systems that we, and our clients, provide to cities and transportation networks across the world,” said David Traub-Werner, Group Project Director and Tel Aviv Office Lead, IBI Group. Alstom Middle East, a global leader in rail transport and sustainable mobility, will also share its knowledge and resources with the consortium.
Photo Courtesy: IAI