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Transport Sectors
Camera Survellience data processing New Zealand Technology Transport Sectors

Private Operators to Manage Mobile Speed Cameras in New Zealand

 

In a significant shift, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has opened a tender to hand over the management of the country's 45 mobile speed cameras to private operators from next year. This move, the first of its kind, is part of a broader initiative to revamp the nation's traffic enforcement strategy. 

Unlike the traditional setup where police issue speeding tickets, the winning private operator will not be responsible for penalizing drivers or receiving bonuses based on the number of violations. Instead, NZTA will retain control over processing images, issuing fines, and determining the placement of cameras. 

The tender emphasizes that the chosen provider must demonstrate the ability to meet evolving requirements, potentially including point-to-point mobile operations. This initiative aligns with NZTA's broader plan to take over all mobile and fixed speed cameras from the police by July 2025, with an additional 50 fixed cameras slated to be added soon. While the overall goal remains focused on enhancing road safety, the private operators will not receive any funds from mobile cameras. 

All fees collected will contribute to the Government consolidated fund. The tender specifically addresses spot speed tickets, emphasizing the use of unbranded vehicles and staff from the private company. Internationally, the involvement of third-party operators in delivering roadside mobile camera operations is a well-established practice, according to NZTA. 

The move aims to leverage private expertise for more efficient operations. The footage captured by these mobile cameras will be transmitted to data centres in Sydney, run by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, and retained for 30 days while NZTA assesses it. However, the agency has been cautioned to manage risks concerning public trust and confidence in the system, highlighting the importance of safeguarding personal data. 

A noteworthy aspect of the tender is its potential expansion beyond speed-limit breaches. Bidders are expected to showcase capabilities in detecting individuals without seatbelts and drivers using mobile phones. The winning bidder must also have a proven track record in a comparable market, such as Australia, Europe, or the US, and be ready to set up operations in New Zealand by January. 

While the tender places a small weight on broader benefits, such as job creation in New Zealand, it underscores the need for a high degree of evidential accuracy, assurance, and effective cybersecurity. The selected provider will undergo monitoring and auditing, with a focus on ensuring the safety of mobile camera operators. 

This signifies a strategic shift in New Zealand's approach to traffic enforcement, emphasizing efficiency, technological advancements, and a collaborative effort between public and private entities. As the country looks to modernize its traffic management systems, this development could set a precedent for similar initiatives globally.
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UK
Cyber Attacks Cyber Threats Ireland NCSC Transport Sectors UK

NCSC Alerts of Cyber Threats to Ireland's Energy, Telecoms and Transport Sectors

 

One of the UK's leading cyber officials has cautioned of a rising threat to Ireland's cross-border telecoms, energy, and transportation infrastructure while praising the UK's continued close cooperation 

Lindy Cameron, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), mentioned that the two countries had "shared cyber interests" and a strong bilateral partnership while speaking remotely at an Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) event in Dublin. 

This will become increasingly crucial, as per given the potential of increased cyber-threats affecting both Northern Ireland and its southern neighbor.

“Energy security for Northern Ireland is based on gas pipelines and electrical interconnectors to both Great Britain and across the border, including the Single Electricity Market. The energy sector is dependent on operational technology — connected systems that monitor and control automated industrial processes — to function effectively and efficiently,” Cameron explained. 

Cameron noted that it is a real possibility that this reliance on operational technology and the interconnected nature of the energy supply network on the island of Ireland combines to create a potential target for cyber-attacks.

Other probable concerns include a ransomware attack on the rail link between Belfast and Dublin, collectively operated by Northern Ireland Railways and Irish Rail, she noted. 

Cameron cautioned state actors are a constant concern that might exhibit themselves in the telecoms industry – where targets could be compromised to facilitate spying in other sectors as well as sources of consumer and communications data in and of themselves. 

She further added, “Some managed service providers that operate in Northern Ireland provide services both sides of the border. It is, therefore, a realistic possibility that a cyber-attack on a telecoms provider could impact services to both of our countries.” 

“The governments of both UK and Ireland have been clear that they will not tolerate malicious cyber activity, and we have and will publicly call out state-level attacks.” 

These dangers are no longer theoretical: in May, the Irish Health Service was targeted by a very destructive ransomware attack, which Cameron claimed put patients' lives in jeopardy. 

Following the incident, the NCSC collaborated closely with its Irish partners, however, the threat actors themselves handed over the decryption key after a few days as a "public relations move".
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