Transforming Transport: Digital Twin Technology for Cybersecurity

Understanding the Challenge: National and Sectoral Perspective

Cybersecurity within the UK’s transport infrastructure faces escalating challenges. As operational technology (OT) systems become increasingly interconnected with information technology (IT) networks, new vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors emerge. The convergence of these systems in transport tunnels introduces complex risks due to legacy infrastructure, evolving cyber threats, and limited cybersecurity expertise.

The Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2023 report highlights the severity of the issue, revealing that 50% of UK businesses lack basic cybersecurity skills and 33% are missing advanced capabilities. National strategies like the National Cyber Strategy 2022 and the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 prioritise strengthening cyber resilience across the UK’s critical infrastructure. This foresighting cycle aligns with these goals by focusing on digital twin technology, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity workforce readiness.

Technology Solutions

Digital twin technology, specifically ‘digital shadows’, was selected as the primary solution for workforce foresighting. Unlike real-time connected digital twins, digital shadows employ static digital twins periodically updated using historical data and predefined scenarios, balancing enhanced predictive capabilities and cybersecurity risk mitigation.

Forecasted Industry Impact

The adoption of digital twins within cyber-physical security strategies is expected to drive significant industry transformation:

• Workforce Demand Growth
• New Skills and Training Pathways
• Economic and Security Benefits

This foresighting cycle establishes the foundation for a more secure, skilled, and adaptive transport sector, aligning with UK government strategy and industry priorities.

Findings and Insights

The widespread adoption of digital twin technology for cybersecurity and operational modelling is poised to reshape and improve organisational strategies in managing cyber resilience across transport infrastructure. Key benefits include:

• Enhanced Cybersecurity Risk Modelling
• Improved Incident Response and Resilience Training
• Bridging the OT/IT Skills Divide
• Integration of AI-Driven Security Monitoring
• Alignment with Regulatory and Compliance Frameworks

Adopting digital twin technology promises to shift the transport sector’s cybersecurity model from reactive to predictive, intelligence-driven, and adaptive, necessary for safeguarding critical national infrastructure.

Future Occupational Profiles (FOPs) Identified

This foresighting cycle has identified new and evolving workforce roles essential for deploying and maintaining digital twin security solutions in transport infrastructure, including:

Workforce Capability Strengths and Gaps

The UK’s workforce possesses significant strengths in cybersecurity, which can be enhanced with digital twin expertise. AI and predictive analytics specialists, software developers, and systems integration experts bring relevant experience to digital twin security modelling. However, there is a notable shortage of professionals trained explicitly in digital twin applications for cybersecurity, and many cybersecurity experts lack the specialised experience required for managing the convergence of OT and IT.

Next Steps

We propose a series of strategic interventions:

• Set up a cross-sector working group with representatives from industry, academia, IfATE, and Innovate UK, engaging organisations like National Highways and Connected Places Catapult.
• Validate and refine future-oriented training pathways through engagement with training providers, professional bodies, and employers.
• Develop a detailed action plan to incorporate digital twin-based security training into formal qualifications and apprenticeships.
• Evaluate additional foresighting studies to explore the potential of digital twins in enhancing cyber-physical security beyond transport.

Failing to implement these measures would leave the UK’s transport sector exposed to growing cyber threats. Without decisive action to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of managing digital twin-enabled cybersecurity solutions, the current skills gap will widen, leaving critical transport infrastructure vulnerable.