Penetration Testing for Transportation
The transportation sector encompasses aviation, maritime, rail, and road transport, all of which rely increasingly on digital systems for operations, safety, and passenger services. Transportation organisations are designated as critical infrastructure in most jurisdictions and face threats from nation-state actors, cybercriminals targeting passenger data, and attackers seeking to disrupt transport services.
Penetration testing for transportation must address a diverse technology landscape including operational technology controlling physical systems (signalling, air traffic control, vessel navigation), passenger-facing applications (booking, check-in, infotainment), corporate IT systems, and the growing ecosystem of connected vehicles and autonomous systems.
Safety is paramount in transportation pen testing, requiring testers to understand the safety implications of system compromises and work within strict operational constraints. EU transportation entities must comply with NIS 2, while aviation-specific requirements include standards from EASA and ICAO. Regular penetration testing helps transportation organisations protect passengers, maintain service continuity, and comply with sector-specific regulations.
Nettitude
CREST, CHECK, and CBEST accredited UK consultancy within Lloyd's Register, delivering premium penetration testing for government and critical infrastructure.
Bridewell
Fast-growing CREST and CHECK-accredited UK cybersecurity consultancy with deep expertise in critical national infrastructure sectors.
IOActive
Elite boutique security consultancy specializing in IoT, SCADA/ICS, embedded systems, and hardware security research with world-renowned researchers.
Transportation Pen Testing FAQs
Can safety-critical transport systems be pen tested?+
Yes, with appropriate precautions. Testing of safety-critical systems requires specialist expertise, careful scoping, and may involve testing on representative environments rather than live production systems.
What transport-specific systems should be tested?+
Testing should cover passenger-facing applications, operational technology (signalling, control systems), crew management systems, supply chain integrations, and connected vehicle/vessel systems.
What regulations apply to transport cybersecurity?+
NIS 2 covers transport as an essential sector. Aviation has EASA cybersecurity requirements. Maritime has IMO guidelines. Rail operators may need to comply with national rail cybersecurity regulations.