Momentum Issue #179
Securing the Future of Mobility: ITS America Members Are Strengthening Transportation Cybersecurity
As transportation systems become increasingly connected, cybersecurity has become as fundamental to safety as the infrastructure itself.
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, ITS America is highlighting the dynamic leadership of our members who are building secure and resilient transportation networks across the country.
From connected vehicle deployments and digital infrastructure investments to privacy frameworks and critical infrastructure protection, ITS America members are helping ensure that innovation and security advance together, protecting the technologies that keep people and goods moving every day.
Our Cybersecurity Framework
ITS America’s Privacy Policy Recommendations provide a clear framework for how transportation data should be managed, protected, and used responsibly. Released last year, the recommendations emphasize that a consistent federal privacy framework is essential to enabling innovation while protecting the public. Rather than a patchwork of state and local requirements that can create uncertainty and hinder the deployment of data-driven transportation technologies, these guidelines promote a unified approach that supports both innovation and trust.
These guidelines reflect a core belief that transportation systems thrive when there is certainty, reliability, and public confidence. As transportation becomes increasingly connected and data-driven, clear privacy protections and strong security practices are essential to safeguarding users, supporting innovation, and ensuring that investments in intelligent transportation technologies continue to deliver safety, mobility, and economic benefits.
We recently released a Privacy Policy Recommendations Fact Sheet for convenient information sharing – check it out now!
ITS America Cybersecurity Community of Practice
This year, the ITSA Cybersecurity CoP has been helping transportation leaders stay ahead of emerging challenges through expert-led education and collaboration.
Led by Jim Toepper of EtherWAN and Karl Kopper of the California State Transportation Agency, this cross-sector group tackles some of the most pressing topics in ITS of today and tomorrow. Recently, they’ve been leading key webinars on essential cybersecurity topics — from quantum to firewalls, these discussions are not to be missed.
The webinar Preparing Transportation for the Post-Quantum Cybersecurity Era hosted a panel of subject matter experts exploring the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the practical steps agencies and organizations can take to strengthen resilience.
The next webinar, Securing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): Firewalls, Intrusion Detection, and Zero Trust, is this week!
This key session will dive into how modern cybersecurity technologies — including industrial firewalls, intrusion detection systems, network segmentation, and Zero Trust architectures — help secure Operational Technology environments while maintaining the reliability and safety of transportation infrastructure.
From understanding how quantum computing may reshape encryption and security strategies to implementing modern defense frameworks for connected transportation systems, these sessions underscore the CoP’s commitment to equipping the transportation sector with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard the technologies powering safer, smarter mobility.
Member Spotlight: Paving the Way for Safe Digital Infrastructure
Across the ITS America community, members are shaping the future of secure transportation. Explore the resources, insights, and innovations below from some of the ITS America members advancing cybersecurity, strengthening resilience, and protecting the connected systems that keep people and goods moving safely every day.
Microsoft laid out guidelines for public agencies to protect against cyberthreats this year – from building security into the AI ecosystem and enabling information sharing and cross-sector partnerships, this report is an essential read.
Palo Alto Networks produced a practical architectural resource for securing ITS systems from the field cabinet to the traffic management center. Whether you are an ITS field engineer or an information security officer, this has the scoop for you.
Cisco surveyed transportation professionals across 15+ countries to assess the state of industrial AI in transportation. Highlights include an analysis on just how imperative cybersecurity is at all levels – don’t miss out on this insightful report.
This work, and the work of ITSA members across the globe, underscores an important reality: building a safer, smarter, and more connected transportation future requires cybersecurity to be embedded into every layer of the transportation ecosystem.
ITS America Events: Bringing Cybersecurity to the Table
This June, ITS America Conference & Expo introduced a dedicated Cybersecurity & Data Zone on the exhibit floor. This immersive space featured over 30 exhibitors, including ITSA members, showcasing solutions for cybersecurity, data management, and smart infrastructure resilience.
From conference session discussions to interactive workshops, this convening of industry leaders was a key step in building a more secure future of transportation technology.
But the conversation didn’t stop there. Just last week, ITSA hosted our first-ever Innovation Forum to tackle the most pressing challenges in today’s emerging transportation tech. Cross-sector leaders convened to share high-impact information and create a future-ready industry.
From quantum cities to software-defined intersections, one thing was underscored: we need our digital infrastructure to be smart, resilient, and secure. The increasing connectivity and real-world deployments exemplify the need for strong TDI protections, as well as funding for transportation agencies’ cybersecurity efforts.
Get Involved
Join a Committee, Community of Practice, or Working Group
ITS America Standing Advisory Committees are member-driven forums where representatives can help shape policies and programs key to their organizations’ goals. Every committee is open to all members – a place where public, private, academic, and research sectors have an equal voice to tackle challenges and opportunities relevant to each committee.
Join via your MyITSA Portal.
Highlight Your Work in the ITS Technology Use Case Library
Submit your innovative solutions and projects that are making the U.S. transportation system safer, smarter, and more connected to the following form.
You can view previous examples of use cases in our currently published library. For questions, please reach out to Jim Broderick (jbroderick@itsa.org).
