Yesterday, the BBC released new thriller Nightsleeper.
The series takes us on a wild ride where a train from Glasgow to London is hackjacked, sending passengers into chaos as cybercriminals seize control.
With off-duty cop Joe Roag and cyber expert Abby Aysgarth trying to save the day, viewers are left wondering: could this actually happen?
Let’s take a look at the reality behind the drama.
Could a train really be hacked, or is this just some thrilling fiction?
Here are 5 things you need to know about whether a real-life cybercriminal could pull off a heist like this.
1. Hackjacking a Train—Possible or Pure Fantasy?
Trains, like many modern systems, are full of tech.
They rely on digital networks for everything from speed control to navigation.
While they’re not quite as connected as your smart home devices, there are points of vulnerability.
If a hacker could gain access to those systems, they could disrupt the train’s operation.
Reality Check:
It’s possible, but gaining that level of access would be incredibly difficult.
Train systems are packed with fail-safes designed to prevent just this kind of scenario.
2. Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Are on the Rise
Cybercriminals love to cause chaos, and critical infrastructure like power grids, airports, and transportation systems have been targeted before.
Trains might not be top of the list, but as everything becomes more connected, hackers could start targeting railways too.
We’ve already seen hacks on transport systems in the form of ransomware attacks, which disrupted services in places like the US and Europe.
While we haven’t seen a full “hackjacking” of a train yet, the risk is real.
Reality Check:
Plausible. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting infrastructure, and trains could be in their crosshairs, though a full takeover as seen in Nightsleeper would require extensive resources.
3. The National Cyber Security Centre Would Definitely Get Involved
In Nightsleeper, Abby Aysgarth from the NCSC is key to the fight against the cybercriminals.
In reality, the NCSC would absolutely be involved if a train, or any other critical system, was hacked.
They work to defend the UK from all sorts of cyber threats and would be part of any coordinated response.
Reality Check:
Spot on! The NCSC would jump into action, but it would be a whole team of experts working together, not just one person.
4. Can a Hacker Stay One Step Ahead Like the ‘Driver’?
In the show, the mysterious ‘Driver’ seems to anticipate every move.
While skilled hackers can stay ahead of cybersecurity teams for a while, it’s not easy.
Cybersecurity experts are trained to adapt quickly, and once they detect a breach, it’s a game of cat and mouse.
The longer the hacker tries to stay ahead, the higher the chance they’ll slip up.
Reality Check:
Semi-plausible. Hackers can outsmart defenders for a time, but it’s a tough task to stay ahead for long - especially when trained cybersecurity teams are involved.
5. What’s the Goal of a Hackjacking?
In Nightsleeper, we’re left guessing about whether the hack is being carried out by terrorists, a hostile state, or organised crime.
In the real world, hackers could have a range of motivations: ransom, political statements, or just causing chaos.
A sophisticated attack like this would likely come from a well-resourced group - think nation-states or highly organised cybercrime rings.
Reality Check:
Very plausible. The motivations for such an attack could range from financial gain to geopolitical disruption, and it would take a well-resourced group to pull off a hack of this scale.
So, Could This Really Happen?
While Nightsleeper takes some creative liberties, the idea of a train being “hackjacked” isn’t entirely outside the realm of possibility.
With trains becoming more digitised, cyber threats are real, but the level of complexity and security involved means it wouldn’t be easy.
Still, cybercriminals are always evolving, and critical infrastructure like railways could be tempting targets in the future.
At Be Hard to Hack, we’re all about helping you stay one step ahead of cyber threats - whether you’re worried about your personal devices or curious about how to protect your larger systems.
Want to learn more about how to protect yourself from everyday cyber risks?
Let us help you be hard to hack!