SMART CITIES: A CYBERSECURITY PERSPECTIVE

Smart city (Smart City) is a city model that applies information technology and artificial intelligence to manage and improve urban living standards, improve service quality of the city government and use efficient use of energy and natural resources.

However, when millions of devices are connected, there can be security risks. Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention and identify solutions to overcome these risks.

1. Opportunity: Modern Technology

Smart city (Smart City) is a city model that applies information technology and artificial intelligence to manage and improve urban living standards, improve service quality of the city government and use efficient use of energy and natural resources. Smart city is created by key elements, including: management – organization (e-government); technology (services and infrastructure); community (main actors, modern citizens); smart economy; IT – communication infrastructure; and natural environment.

The main technologies that constitute the foundation and core of a smart city include: artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of things (IoT), 5G technology, Big Data and Sensor; virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. In particular, AI technology can provide real-time information, machine learning and algorithms, help city systems become more efficient and secure, respond more quickly and easily to demand, improve improve the quality of life of residents.

5G technology plays an important role in smart city infrastructure and services, which can ensure millions, even billions of connections with huge traffic and instant response speed, ensuring ensure that there are no interruptions in the operation of the system. Big Data is applied in detecting fire and explosion risks, warning traffic accidents, medical problems; increase the level of transparency and democracy in state management; improve public services and reduce costs…

New generation IT and cloud computing technologies are applied in urban planning, information collection, analysis and integration to operate the city, support people’s lives, protect the environment, keep community safety, develop urban services and respond to other needs intelligently, helping urban economic growth, maintaining social progress and sustainable development. With VR and AR, urban planners and residents can visualize future developments and assess their impact on the environment, aesthetics…

2. Challenge: Cybersecurity

Firstly, the security risk from the uncontrolled use of AI technology, especially when AI reaches a certain evolutionary threshold, will become a “double-edged sword” that can attack humans and even an entire city. Therefore, many people fear that this will lead to people not controlling the machines and machines can harm people.

Second, with a metropolis of millions of interconnected devices, hackers have plenty of room to attack. At that time, it will be very difficult to ensure the safety of the whole system. According to technology observers, there are currently 5 main trends that hackers can attack smart cities, such as APT (easy to recognize) targeted cyberattacks; attacks on IoT devices (hard to recognize); the clash between new and old hackers; attack on vulnerabilities on iOS and Android operating systems; and data theft on social networks.

Third, when everything in a smart city is connected via 5G network, then all social activities of the city are governed by this technology, the risk of insecurity is not small. According to security experts, 5G networks currently have many potential security risks, such as data theft; control of material services; sabotage infrastructure; interrupt the transmission; and economic security.

There are also risk factors of insecurity from other applied technologies, such as Big Data and Sensor… Storing big data, especially sensitive data, can make organizations and businesses or individuals become attractive targets for cyber attackers. Sensors, if compromised, can also cause unpredictable dangers in terms of data leakage, health, etc.

3. Smart city: Cybersecurity perspective

Firstly, to promulgate a policy on building a smart city, including a policy on security, in order to orient actors involved in city construction activities; propose and perfect solutions to apply IT – communication, digital technology in security activities. For example, regulations on the use of AI; 5G network; sensor equipment; Big data management…

Second, technology products must be tested to detect security problems before being put into use. Products and services are periodically tested for both quality and security. Strong encryption of data when transmitted through the smart city system, and 3-factor authentication methods for terminals such as mobile phones. Personal devices also need to be authorized to limit access to sensitive data.

Third, install a multi-functional intelligent monitoring and warning system, ensuring maximum safety for residents. Including: 24/7 security surveillance camera system; license plate recognition; monitoring and reporting violations of regulations; decentralized camera access at home; push signals (streaming) at the request of the management to the web, display screen; warn the wanted subjects to urban areas; Quick access to license plate history…

Fourth, build a number of centers related to ensuring city security such as the Center for monitoring and operating public security; Central monitoring information security; Emergency Response Service Center. In particular, the Center for Supervision and Administration of Public Security performs public security control in key areas and areas in the city. The Center for Supervision of Information Security and Safety performs operations, monitoring, support and incident response for all information technology systems; researching information security solutions for network systems, servers, E-mail systems, user computers and applications, protecting and preventing network attacks.

Implement the integration of emergency response services for people into a single number. Providing advanced features, such as locating subscribers, displaying on digital maps, controlling cameras focusing on the incident area from which to quickly capture incident scene information, coordination interaction, supervise the forces handling situations such as emergency, fire prevention and fighting.