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Worries raised over cyber security risk at Crossrail

Published on: 9 Jul 2020

Cyber security issues on the £18 billion Crossrail project have emerged with the firm charged with overseeing the scheme flagging concerns about the project’s failure to protect itself from attack.

In a board meeting held on 7th May, it was revealed that Jacobs, who have been hired by the Department for Transport and Transport for London to oversee the management of the project, has raised serious concerns about how cyber threats have been handled.

The minutes said: "Sponsors asked how long it would take to resolve the cyber security issues and [Jacobs] stated that Crossrail had undertaken deep dives and clarified the software compatibility issue between Windows versions but there remains a technical resource capability issue across Crossrail and their contractors that needs to be addressed."

In concerning news for the project's leadership, the DfT and TfL said the cyber worries were an example of new issues arising which were not foreseen by Crossrail.

It comes as the boss of Crossrail revealed the board is set to vote on a new plan to complete the project in the wake of delays caused by covid-19.

The railway’s chief executive Mark Wild said it has been coming up with a proposal for the past four weeks.

In a letter to London Assembly transport committee chair Alison Moore, Wild said it would be put to the board later this month.