WHY LIGHTING?
BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH TRUST
Smart Lighting provides better driving environments, safer pavements, visibility for first responders, and an infrastructure for sensors that can collect and provide helpful insights for cities. Over the past few decades, it has become best practice to connect these lights. Software controls enable better lighting schedules, energy savings, lighting that adapts to the environment and can help predict service issues. It is clear why lighting controls should be a part of any city - and therefore, its cybersecurity plan, as well. You may ask: why would someone want to hack my lights? In 2007, two men in Los Angeles were charged with hacking the traffic light system in the city. They hacked into the computers at the traffic commission and turned off four traffic lights. They also locked the city out of the system so they couldn’t turn them back on. This resulted in gridlock and traffic problems for days, in a city that already had traffic management issues. Consider the potential impact on your city. What are the risks? Highways that are well lit at night suddenly going dark. Zebra crossings in a busy area without light. Pedestrians hoping the drivers can see them with their headlights. These are the consequences of lights being controlled by the wrong individuals and the accidents that could happen as a result. The dangers are even greater when you consider software security. Let’s examine the vulnerabilities of networks, applications, and specifically lighting control systems and how you can better protect this essential infrastructure in your city.
Your lighting control software is not only responsible for controlling the lights in your city, but is also likely to be connected to and collaborate with other data sources that inform lighting decisions as well, such as weather and traffic monitoring. A secure system will only grant access to relevant people. Permission levels should decide not just access, but capabilities within the software as well. All of this should come as standard with any critical infrastructure software application. Inappropriate access to this system or damage to the data flowing through it could cost your city valuable time and money. Recommissioning lights can take weeks and can be a labour-intensive process. Software that communicates across your entire city should be at the top of your protective priority list.
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