Smart City

It is predicted that by the year 2050, 68% of the population will live in cities. In order to be able to cope with this growth, it is important to develop new, intelligent technologies. The transfer of data between smart devices is already possible in part thanks to the "Internet of Things". However, this brings with it the risk of hacker attacks and therefore poses a threat to cybersecurity. In the context of Smart Cities and cybersecurity, cities face challenges such as insufficient standards and competencies, as well as increasing opportunities for attacks.

There are no policies when it comes to smart devices, thus allowing security gaps to form and enabling hackers to gain access to higher-level systems. In addition to this, there is currently a shortage of security professionals with an understanding of cybersecurity systems. Smart Cities are therefore exposed to a multitude of criminal attack opportunities, such as demands for ransom, terrorist attacks, security breaches or the loss of personal data.

However, cybersecurity is not the only major challenge that Smart Cities face. For a start, it costs money to establish smart solutions, and many cities and municipalities lack the necessary financial resources to do so, especially in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, importing all the data from various systems requires the appropriate technologies. Last but not least, all organizations involved have to be willing to share data and to grant others access to this data. Smart City concepts can help solve these problems.

There are many advantages to implementing Smart City concepts: Commuting times can be significantly reduced by using sophisticated mobility solutions, such as traffic control, smart parking and real-time information for local traffic. This also means that the impact on the environment can be reduced. In terms of healthcare, Smart City citizens can benefit from telemedicine and better monitoring in the case of outbreaks of contagious illnesses; the real-time monitoring of chronically ill patients also reduces the burden placed on hospitals. Smart Cities have a positive effect on the environment: Through the use of Smart Water, it is possible to prevent water from being wasted as a result of leaks and blockages, and it also improves the efficiency of water transport. This is achieved through intelligent water networks that closely monitor the amount of water consumed and transported, check water quality and ensure minimal water flow and reverse flow in pipes.