Modern transportation systems are deeply connected and digitally complex, yet when they’re working well, they’re nearly invisible. They manage signal timing, power ramp meters and respond to real-time changes in traffic and weather. Most travelers never notice them, but these systems play a quiet, constant role in keeping roads safe and cities moving.
As these systems become more integrated and intelligent, they also take on new responsibilities and new risks. What were once isolated roadside devices now act as part of a connected digital ecosystem. That shift brings operational advantages but also raises the stakes for how those systems are protected.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) understood early on that behind every connected roadside device lies a potential vulnerability. With more than 8,000 remote communication devices deployed statewide, the agency made security a core design priority. These devices form the backbone of Georgia’s traffic operations, connecting everything from signals and sensors to signs and weather systems. By deploying Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, GDOT is reinforcing its edge network and laying the foundation for long-term resilience. This is more than a technical upgrade. It is a strategic investment in public safety, operational continuity and the future of Georgia’s transportation infrastructure.
This approach earned recognition from the National Operations Center of Excellence as a model for integrating cybersecurity into modern transportation systems.
Modernizing Infrastructure with Security in Mind
GDOT has spent years building one of the most advanced transportation communications networks in the country. That network supports real-time operations across thousands of miles of roadway, enabling everything from traffic signals and variable speed limits to connected signage and weather-aware systems.
These tools improve safety and efficiency. But each new connection adds potential risk. A single unprotected device can give attackers a foothold. What starts as a local issue can quickly ripple across a much broader system.
Rather than treat security as a bolt-on, GDOT wove it into its infrastructure lifecycle. As older devices reached end-of-life, the agency used that moment as an opportunity to upgrade with purpose. Secure-by-design moved from being an optional feature to a foundational requirement.
Choosing Technology That Meets Real-World Demands
GDOT’s Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) team, working in close collaboration with the Office of Information Technology, set out to find a solution that could deliver both reliable connectivity and strong security without disrupting operations.
After evaluating multiple market leaders, GDOT selected our Palo Alto Networks PA-450R-5G firewall. It was the only purpose-built firewall device that met their technical, operational and environmental criteria. With support for both fiber and cellular communications, the PA-450R-5G provides resilient connectivity across varied deployment conditions, including remote or hard-to-reach locations.
This device is designed for roadside environments, with features like hardened construction and Power over Ethernet to simplify installation. And because it combines next-generation firewall capabilities with backhaul options, it helps GDOT secure edge traffic where it matters most: at the point where data is generated.
According according to the GDOT case study:
This was the only device available that was specifically designed as a firewall and also met GDOT’s needs for multiple communication methods, field hardening, and other deployment requirements.
It was not a top-down procurement. GDOT brought together cybersecurity specialists, network architects, operations engineers and field technicians to build alignment around the technical requirements, ensuring the chosen solution could scale statewide from dense urban interchanges to rural corridors.
Standardizing Deployment for Speed and Consistency
Technology is only part of the solution. What sets GDOT apart is how it planned for scale. The agency developed standardized installation guides, one-touch provisioning methods and uniform configuration templates to streamline deployment across teams. This work reduces the chance of misconfiguration and shortens the time it takes to get new devices online. It also creates a shared foundation that local teams across the state can plug into.
Even in the early stages of rollout, these efforts are paying off. GDOT is ramping up to replace 50 devices per week, with field crews able to install and manage devices confidently. Network and IT teams have greater visibility and control, and the department as a whole benefits from a consistent, defendable edge architecture.
Collaborating Across Agencies for Greater Resilience
GDOT’s vision extended beyond its own operations. With longstanding partnerships across more than 100 local agencies, the team evaluated solutions with shared needs in mind, from ease of installation to simplified procurement. This ensures local partners can benefit from the same secure, standardized foundation.
The effort reflects two decades of collaboration through GDOT’s TSMO program. By planning for broader impact, GDOT helped ensure that the path to resilience is not limited to state systems alone.
From the National Operations Center of Excellence, May 2025:
Standardized installation procedures and cross-team coordination streamline deployment, saving time and ensuring consistent configurations.
What Other Leaders Can Learn
For public sector leaders responsible for the future of connected infrastructure, GDOT offers a compelling example of how to take a proactive, strategic approach to cyber resilience:
- Visibility and control must extend to the edge of the network, where connected devices generate real-time data, and potential threats can emerge.
- Cybersecurity decisions belong in infrastructure planning. Downtime is not just inconvenient. It has public safety consequences. Embedding protection into capital projects helps reduce risk and long-term costs.
- Cross-functional alignment drives success. When technology, infrastructure and field operations work together from the beginning, solutions are more practical, scalable and sustainable.
- A platform approach delivers consistency. By standardizing on a unified security platform, agencies gain enforcement, visibility and response capabilities they can trust and extend over time.
GDOT is not simply deploying firewalls. It is setting a new standard for how public agencies can think about resilience, not just in response to threats but as a core part of how infrastructure gets built and maintained. As connected infrastructure becomes the new norm, leaders have an opportunity to treat cybersecurity not as a siloed function, but as a shared responsibility that shapes how we build for the future.
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