industry unlocked
Chris Roberts, Chief Security Strategist,
Attivo Networks
systems – such as the Aircraft
Communications Addressing and
Reporting System (ACARS) – are
gradually being interconnected to allow
them to be controlled remotely via
the Internet. As they do this air traffic
operators are keenly aware that doing so
increases the risk that outsiders could
access onboard systems.
How is the aviation sector rising
to the challenge of combatting
these threats?
JOE CARSON: The aviation industry has
always risen to the challenges since the
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Issue 20
industry heavily relies on safety as its
primary priority. When systems become
more connected online, cybersecurity
is no longer just an IT security issue –
it then becomes a safety issue – and
that is why aviation organisations treat
cyberattacks as such a high priority.
However sometimes shortcuts do occur
such as using critical communication
equipment onboard aircraft for
payments and this increases the threats
and risks.
CHRIS ROBERTS: The introduction of
increased Internet connectivity brings
opportunities for elevated revenue
streams and operation savings to
the aviation sector. At the same time
passengers and industry regulators will
expect ever more robust cybersecurity
measures to protect the information
they exchange and access through
aircraft in the sky. The answer to the
rising challenges for providers of
in-flight communication services –
some of which are constrained by the
architecture and physical limitations of
their networks – is to build increased
security layers around these more
capable networks.
Can you outline any use cases of
how technology is being used to
mitigate threats?
JOE CARSON: One main area of
technology being continuously improved
is that of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent
Surveillance – Broadcast) which is
used for safety. However, in the past,
since it was using radio frequency, it
was not encrypted and could have been
monitored or, worse, the data could be
poisoned. However recent improvements
have focused around securing and
better protecting critical safety systems
by decreasing risks such as spoofing,
data poisoning and hacking.
CHRIS ROBERTS: In-flight communication
services, both for the entertainment of
the general passenger and the efficiency
of the business traveller, face steady
growth in demand that is certain to
increase as passengers insist
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