Towards an Understanding of the Security Challenges within the Railway Industry

Security-related incidents are a persistent concern within the South African Railway industry. The most prevalent types of incidents are theft and vandalism. Other types of security-related incidents include threats to... [ view full abstract ]

Security-related incidents are a persistent concern within the South African Railway industry. The most prevalent types of incidents are theft and vandalism. Other types of security-related incidents include threats to personal safety on trains, at stations and outside platform areas. While security incidents, like all incidents, have an economic and human impact, these types of incidents can cause damage to railway assets that can cost millions, lead to the injury of persons and, in the worst cases, the loss of life. Reports of security related incidents in South Africa remain high yearly. Information collected during occurrence investigations indicate that security-related factors are present, usually as contributing factors, during derailments, collisions, platform-train interface and people-struck by trains incidents. Indeed, the connection between safety and security cannot be denied. Rectifying the security challenges is a matter of urgency. The continued security challenges and the resultant effects on operational safety and liability emphasize that there is a need for a re-evaluation of security management considerations. This is especially important because the general security challenges identified remain the same yearly and as long as security incidents remain uncurbed, the development and modernization of the South African railway industry will continue to experience setbacks and challenges. This paper will outline the unique difficulties experienced in South Africa with managing security in the railway space and explore how security-related incidents contribute to operational safety. This paper will also consider how a systemic understanding of the human, organisational and technological factors can be developed to analyze and identify existing primary systemic security gaps. This paper will then postulate the possible systemic structures that would have an influence on the adequate management of security and possibly assist in identifying foreseeable security breaches, thus allowing organizations in the industry to prepare adequately.