The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has received a national award for its cybersecurity efforts aimed at protecting the state’s traffic systems. The department was recognized with the 2025 Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) Award in the Cybersecurity for TSMO category by the National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE). The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Transportation System Operations.
The award acknowledges Georgia DOT’s deployment of advanced firewalled routers across the state, which protect more than 8,000 connected devices from cybersecurity threats. According to a recent case study, Georgia DOT integrated secure edge devices into its traffic systems to reduce risks associated with cyberattacks that could disrupt critical operations such as traffic signals and ramp meters. The department implemented standardized installation procedures and coordinated efforts across teams to streamline deployment, saving time and ensuring consistent configurations.
“Georgia DOT has prioritized security to ensure their traveling public has a safe and reliable road network,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director of NOCoE. “Their proactive approach protects both infrastructure and public safety, while reducing future costs linked to system breaches, downtime, and emergency responses.”
NOCoE is a partnership involving AASHTO, the Institute for Transportation Engineers, and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, supported by the Federal Highway Administration. Its annual awards program highlights TSMO strategies that use existing infrastructure to improve safety and reliability without expanding capacity. Each year, NOCoE also develops case studies on winning entries and other submissions, contributing to a library of over 200 TSMO case studies.
In addition to recognizing organizational achievements, NOCoE named John Hibbard, Deputy Chief Engineer at Georgia DOT, as the recipient of its 2025 Joey Sagal TSMO Leadership Award. This honor is given to individuals who have significantly advanced TSMO within their organizations and across the industry.
Georgia DOT oversees planning, construction, and maintenance for Georgia’s state and federal highways. The department is also involved in bridge projects, waterways, public transit systems, railways, general aviation initiatives, as well as bike and pedestrian programs. It assists local governments with road maintenance through nearly 4,000 employees dedicated to innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility in transportation systems. The agency aims to enhance Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
