The Australian Cyber Security Centre has released a new publication exploring the security risks of smart cities and how to ensure the technology underpinning them is secure.

The document, An Introduction to Securing Smart Places, is based on research undertaken by the ACSC and aims to support public organisations, as well as the private sector, in the implementation of smart places technology.

As smart places continue to evolve in Australia, it is imperative that organisations understand the cyber security risks involved when considering and implementing the associated technologies and systems

ACSC

The document defines smart places as “places designed to provide enhanced services to citizens using a collection of smart information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled systems and devices that capture, communicate and analyse data”.

‘Smart places’ include cities, neighbourhoods and suburbs, while ‘smart technology’ can include smart meters, traffic light systems and other infrastructure that leverages things like the Internet of Things, operational technology, sensors or  cloud computing.

Risks, meanwhile, include security breaches and systems failure, operational redundancies and supply chain vulnerabilities.

“Smart place technologies must be procured with security in mind and implementers must be satisfied that vendors will implement controls required to satisfy client and stakeholder requirements,” the document says.

The guide provides a general overview of themes around smart cities as well as links to further information and technology.

The increasingly connected nature of public infrastructure in cities and creates efficiencies, but also raises the risk profile, the ACSC says.

“As smart places continue to evolve in Australia, it is imperative that organisations understand the cyber security risks involved when considering and implementing the associated technologies and systems.”

ACSC says it is planning to release further smart places-related publications in 2023.