Emerging Security Threats

 

Emerging Cyber Attacks in the Aviation Industry 

    One new emerging threat to the aviation industry which can be perpetrated by anyone in the world is cyber-attacks.  In 2022, the United States lead the world in the most cyber-attacks in their aviation infrastructure (Marks, P., 2011). This includes Air Traffic Control, TSA, and Aircraft Data Systems.  Recently, Russian hackers claimed responsibility for crashing a dozen websites associated to multiple airports key operations enterprise systems. Cyber-attacks are a real threat to aviation critical infrastructure.  

    According to the current layers of security/TSA, there are no steps in place to enhance protection against cybersecurity threats.  The current mitigation strategies in place focus on the physical presence of a person or an object. Since cyber-attacks can be accomplished outside of the TSA area of operations, it’s difficult to implement actions to prevent cyber- attacks.

    To enhance the protections against cybersecurity threats, TSA needs to implement amendments to the current security layers.  TSA needs to develop network policies and controls to create access points so they can prevent access to critical cyber systems. In addition, new employees/ software needs to be recruited to enable continuous monitoring detection to reduce the exploitation of critical applications. This will increase awareness of their workforce and ensure the aviation industry remains resilient against cybersecurity threats.




References:

Paul Marks, Air traffic system vulnerable to cyber-attack, New Scientist, Volume 211, Issue 2829, 2011, Pages 22-23, ISSN 0262-4079, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0262-4079(11)62203-3.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0262407911622033

Mills, E. (2009). Report: Hackers broke into FAA air traffic control systems.

Marks, P. (2011). Air traffic system vulnerable to cyber-attack.

TSA issues new cybersecurity requirements for airport and aircraft operators | Transportation Security Administration


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