European Rail: The HOLISTIC Challenge
Safety, Security, Resilience: Not separate projects, but three properties of the same system. – by: Lucia Di Giambattista[1], Gustavo Scotti di Uccio[2]
(download here) The article highlights how the modernisation of the European railway sector, driven by the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking, calls for a profound transformation towards a highly digitalised, automated, and interoperable ecosystem. In this cyber-physical scenario, total resilience becomes the top priority: the system must be designed to withstand not only extreme weather events and physical crises, but also growing cybersecurity risks and attacks. Such an approach requires moving beyond traditional sectoral silos in favour of an integrated Safety–Security–Resilience model, in which cybersecurity is embedded right from the earliest design stages (security-by-design). Only by guaranteeing this multi-layered protection can technological innovation – from advanced freight transport (DAC) to ERTMS signalling – translate into a truly reliable European network. In this context, EU has the potential to assume strategic leadership in the development of secure and certified digital infrastructure. (download printable full article here)
[1] Lucia Di Giambattista is a Senior Public Administration Digital Transformation Expert with extensive experience leading large-scale e-governance and IT modernization initiatives. She specializes in optimizing administrative workflows, implementing digital public services, and driving interoperability across government frameworks. Proven track record in aligning public sector strategy with EU digital standards to enhance efficiency and citizen access.
[2] Dr. Gustavo Scotti di Uccio is a Defence and Security expert with 30+ years of Finmeccanica/Leonardo executive experience and President of AOS. He serves as Vice President of the Belgian European Organization for Security (EOS) and Vice President for the Land Sector at the Italian Institute of Navigation.
