Research from global brokerage Willis Towers Watson has revealed the biggest risks facing the transport industry in Asia.

Digital vulnerability and rapid technological advancement were named as the primary business risks by the 350 C-suite executives surveyed, 71 of whom are based in the region.

Geopolitical instability and regulatory uncertainty ranked second, while changing market dynamics and business model insecurity rounded out the top three.

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 The Asian region had the highest risk score for digital disruption with cyber threat listed as the top specific risk for the transportation industry, followed by third party security vulnerability and change in demand due to macro-economic conditions.

“Digitalisation’s impact is felt across business sectors, and the transport sector is no exception when you consider the growth of the internet of things, artificial intelligence, driverless cars, robo-workers, and smart cities,” said Mark Hue Williams, head of transportation industry for Willis Towers Watson.

The rise of cyber attacks in the region against the transport industry was highlighted by cyber security firm FireEye Inc. which noted that more than a quarter of all its transportation clients were targeted by an attack during the first half of 2016.

Nations across the region are beginning to introduce legislation around cyber security and Hue Williams urged the transport industry to take a holistic view on cyber rather than relegating the issue to IT departments.

“Executives must ensure their preparedness and response plans will withstand questioning from shareholders and the public in the wake of a breach,” he said.


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