It might be cybersecurity month this October, but ITS America and our members are dedicated to building safer systems year-round. From Privacy Principles to Communities of Practice, we walk the talk – because safety is essential.

Check out some of our recent work to learn how we are empowering the ITS community to gain public trust and uphold security in all modes of transportation. We’ve created resources, started discussions, and convened industry leaders across the public, private, and academic to tackle timely transportation topics. Digital infrastructure is core infrastructure, and the industry must ensure safety both on the asphalt and in the network to drive smart investments as tech becomes increasingly integrated. As we agreed at ITS World Congress 2025: Safety First, Innovation Always.

Plus, find out how you can get involved! ITS America membership is a seat at the table; make sure your voice is heard and that you’re utilizing invaluable access to insightful dialogue.

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“With all the safety and efficiency benefits that transportation technologies bring, balancing innovation and safety when crafting policies and regulations is essential.”

This is the underlying value behind all our work in cybersecurity, but this quote comes from our Privacy Policy Recommendations released in June of this year. This document underscores the importance of a federal privacy framework as opposed to a patchwork of state/local laws that would hinder the effective widespread use of technology that relies on comprehensive data.

ITS America recommends the following principles for a federal privacy framework:

• Responsible Data Use
• Personal Data Protection
• Accountability and Transparency
• Security

The transportation industry and its users flourish when there is certainty and reliability, and the same applies to data privacy protections in transportation tech. These guidelines are key in securing smart investments in ITS safety.

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For more than 30 years, ITS America has convened government, industry, and academia to champion policies and investments that make our transportation systems safer, more innovative, and more efficient. 

In March, we released the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Policy Principles, calling for greater investment in transportation technology that will improve safety, efficiency, and mobility for the U.S. transportation system. To ensure pragmatic and secure solutions, we call to establish the Driving Innovation and Growth by Integrating Technology for American Leadership (DIGITAL) Formula Program. This program could include projects involving cybersecurity infrastructure essential to a holistic modernization of our nation’s transportation systems.

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While safety drives everything that we do, the ITS America Cybersecurity Community of Practice focuses on educating, supporting, and cultivating group learning on cybersecurity topical areas, encouraging the work of members through discussions and sharing, and integrating cybersecurity practices by helping members use their new knowledge for real change in their respective work.

Comprised of cybersecurity experts, the CoP explores innovative approaches, develops practical resources and exercises, advances real-world simulations, and collaborates with ITS America partners to promote robust cybersecurity measures across the transportation ecosystem. This year, the Cybersecurity CoP had an engaging workshop at ITS World Congress and hosted multiple webinars covering an expanse of timely topics. Stay tuned for the release of this essential document currently in the works: Cybersecurity Recommendations for the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

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Do you have something to say about cybersecurity?

ITS America membership is key to joining industry dialogue to accelerate pragmatic policies and innovation. How to utilize your ITSA membership: