The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is preparing to establish a dedicated Security Operations Centre (SOC) to counter cyber threats, positioning it as possibly the first metro operator in India to implement such a facility. “The goal is to proactively prepare for cyberattacks, especially as AI and machine learning are now enabling automated threats,” a senior BMRCL official told. “The SOC will offer comprehensive visibility across our network by gathering logs from all devices.”

Bengaluru Metro has a robust security setup, with 66 stations equipped with approximately 200 cameras each, totaling about 13,200 cameras. Additionally, each of the 57 six-car trains has four cameras per coach, adding up to around 1,368 cameras. The network also includes about 1,200 computers.

BMRCL has issued a tender to establish the SOC at Byappanahalli, where it will oversee the security of its IT and CCTV systems, ensuring constant monitoring and quick response to any emerging cyber threats. “This SOC will be essential in monitoring, assessing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats against BMRCL’s infrastructure,” the official said. It will collect logs to detect and mitigate cyberattacks and conduct post-incident analyses if needed. Additionally, a cybersecurity playbook will aid in traffic management, while government-provided threat detection platforms will help in identifying and blacklisting harmful IPs. BMRCL developed the tender documents internally without consultants.

The SOC will also monitor the health and uptime of the entire CCTV network and the Network Operations Centre (NOC), both critical for effective surveillance and operational reliability. “With interconnected IT systems, even a minor vulnerability can compromise the entire network, making a robust SOC essential for comprehensive threat detection,” the official added. In a later phase, the SOC will integrate operational technology systems, such as passenger monitoring through QR ticketing.

Cybersecurity has become a pressing issue in rail transportation globally. In 2022, Polish authorities investigated a hacking incident that disrupted rail communication frequencies. Similarly, in 2016, South Korea accused North Korea of attempting to breach its rail systems, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Other cases, like ransomware attacks in Germany (January 2022) and San Francisco (November 2019), have also disrupted metro services. The complexity of rail operations, covering track management, ticketing, and safety, makes them particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Skilled cybersecurity personnel will use advanced monitoring capabilities to analyze logs and data from multiple devices, enabling early threat detection and prompt response. “Data will be collected from various sources and processed centrally, using techniques like anomaly and behavioral analysis to identify potential threats. Alerts will be prioritized by severity, allowing security analysts to assess and address risks effectively,” the official explained.

Security analysts will investigate detected threats by reviewing logs and event data to understand each incident’s context and impact. “This approach allows them to prioritize critical threats, determine root causes, and take preventive measures to avoid future incidents. Remediation will involve collaboration between BMRCL’s IT teams and security analysts to neutralize threats, such as patching vulnerabilities, isolating compromised systems, and removing malware,” the official added.

Continuous monitoring will be at the heart of the SOC’s operations, detecting both recurring and new threats. “Round-the-clock vigilance, combined with regular threat intelligence updates, will help us maintain a proactive stance against cyber threats. This strategy will enable us to adapt our defenses as the digital landscape evolves,” he said. The SOC will be based at Byappanahalli, and the selected firm will handle the supply, installation, configuration, testing, and commissioning of all necessary hardware and software.

To ensure compliance, regular audits and streamlined processes will support BMRCL’s cybersecurity standards. Operating 24/7, the selected firm will utilize an on-premises Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, malware detection, threat intelligence, and automated Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) workflows to enhance security.

“The solution will integrate with both open-source and commercial sources of Indicators of Compromise (IOC), allowing visual alert analysis and customizable reporting. It will also include a Security Data Lake to centralize data and analytics, ensuring real-time visibility and compliance management,” the official said.

Bengaluru Metro, which has an operational network covering 73 km and a daily ridership of around 800,000, is taking this step to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure.

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