Page 48 - TT June issue pdf for digital

MAKING A POINT

the unseen infrastructure driving • Avoid using public Wi-Fi or Cyber Tips for Toll
seamless transportation is unsecured devices when
increasingly under threat - not from accessing toll systems remotely Operators
traffic jams, but from cyberattacks. 1. Use Two-Factor
Toll management software, which When One Click Could Authentication on All
handles everything from vehicle Halt a Highway Platforms: Even if a password
identification to online payments, gets compromised, two-factor
sits at a critical intersection of public A compromised toll management authentication (2FA) provides
infrastructure and private data. system could result in a second layer of defence.
And yet, one of its most powerful • Disrupted toll collection Example: Toll system admin’s
defences remains the most human: login credentials were exposed
cybersecurity awareness. • Massive revenue loss in a data breach. Thanks to 2FA,

At first glance, a toll • Backlogged traffic due to faulty the attacker couldn’t access the
management system may not access gates system without the secondary
seem like a prime target for • Public trust erosion code sent to the admin’s mobile
cybercriminals. But think again. device.
Every toll transaction processes a In such high-stakes 2. Never Reuse Passwords
stream of valuable information - environments, even one employee Across Systems: Reusing
vehicle data, license plate images, clicking a malicious link can passwords makes all systems
user profiles, billing information trigger widespread chaos. Regular vulnerable if just one gets
and often real-time geolocation. cybersecurity drills, access audits, breached.
Without strong cybersecurity and phishing simulations can Example: An operator used the
protocols, this data is at risk dramatically reduce these risks. same password for their toll login
of theft, manipulation or even and personal email. When their
complete system shutdown. Don’t Just Secure the email account was hacked, the
That’s where cybersecurity Software - Secure the attacker used that same password
awareness comes in - arming People to access the toll platform.
people behind the software with
the knowledge to stop breaches When adopting or upgrading 3. Double-Check Links
before they start. toll management software, Before Clicking - Hover First:
organizations often focus on A toll employee received an
While toll software vendors email pretending to be from
build in firewalls and encryption, vendor features and technical the IT department with a link to
attackers often find it easier to go specs. But equally important is “reset your password.” Hovering
after the humans instead of the ensuring that all users - from revealed the link led to a strange
code. Phishing emails disguised as frontline operators to IT support - domain like tollsupport-secure.net
IT alerts or billing notices can trick understand their role in protecting instead of the legitimate company
toll operators or customer service the system. URL.
staff into clicking malicious links
or surrendering login credentials. Smart Road Ahead 4. Report Suspicious
Emails Immediately: Quick
As smart transportation
Cybersecurity continues to expand, toll systems reporting can prevent threats
awareness training will only grow more integrated from spreading through the
organization. A staff member
teaches employees to and complex. Cybersecurity noticed an email asking for
awareness is no longer just an
• Spot suspicious emails and IT concern - it’s an operational payment release with odd
formatting. They reported it, and
social engineering attempts imperative. In the world of
toll management, staying one IT discovered it was part of a
• Use strong, unique passwords step ahead means more than larger phishing attempt targeting
for system access multiple departments.
optimizing traffic flow - it means
• Identify and report abnormal keeping data, dollars, and drivers 5. Don’t Delay Software
system behaviour safe from digital threats. Updates: Updates fix known bugs

48 TRAFFICINFRATECH / June 2025 / www.trafficinfratech.com