Lakhasly

Challenges in Smart Cities

There is no doubt that smart cities face serious challenges."Smart city projects usually involve substantial investments in ICT ( Information and Communications Technologies) infrastructure" (Puron-Cid & Gil-Garcia, 2022).Cybersecurity Threats First and foremost, smart cities operate by an extensive use of technology in infrastructure, transportation, e-governance, resource managements, etc.As the smart city relies on collecting online data to secure the ample functioning of its components, there are deep concerns about the vulnerability to cyberattacks and the potential misuse of personal data.These data can be targeted by hackers to access sensitive data driven by opportunities for financial profits or security attacks."Because of this constant data collection, people fear the loss of privacy, after all, how can citizens maintain a right to privacy when their privacy in itself is constantly being threatened, if not destroyed entirely" (Smith)

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Challenges in Smart Cities

There is no doubt that smart cities face serious challenges. As the smart city relies on collecting online data to secure the ample functioning of its components, there are deep concerns about the vulnerability to cyberattacks and the potential misuse of personal data.

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   Cybersecurity Threats
   First and foremost, smart cities operate by an extensive use of technology in infrastructure, transportation, e-governance, resource managements, etc. These data can be targeted by hackers to access sensitive data driven by opportunities for financial profits or security attacks. Chen Ma (2021) asserts that “one of the most important attacks on the smart grid is the denial of service through channel congestion, computational flooding of equipment with low computing power distributed denial of service to SCADA ( Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitio) or delaying s time-critical message that may cause widespread shutdown” (Ma, 2021, para.13). Access and control over these data can cause the smart city to fall into complete paralysis and non-functioning. 

   
   


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   Personal Privacy Challenge
   Additionally, smart cities also face the challenge of potential misuse of personal data. To operate in a smart way, the systems of the smart cities need to recognize personal information of residents. To open automated doors in smart buildings, do online payments or other financial transactions, or ensure security of areas, systems of the smart cities need access to personal information of users. This unauthorized access forms the basis of worries among most people who use those services. “Because of this constant data collection, people fear the loss of privacy, after all, how can citizens maintain a right to privacy when their privacy in itself is constantly being threatened, if not destroyed entirely” (Smith)

   
   


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   Cost Challenge
   Furthermore, the cost of smart cities construction and maintenance is significantly high. Smart city projects need a lot of investment to set up. Besides, keeping the systems running smoothly also requires human resources and automated systems to repair or to upgrade services. The expenses to protect smart city from cyberattacks will also cost a fortune. “Smart city projects usually involve substantial investments in ICT ( Information and Communications Technologies) infrastructure” (Puron-Cid & Gil-Garcia, 2022). Regarding the adverse consequences of potential shutdown of services, the need to employ robust securities systems and technologies become vital

   
   

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitio
Information and Communications Technologies