Aviation experts discuss cyber threat to sector

Singapore

COLLABORATION with industry stakeholders as well as with governments is seen as key to protecting the aviation industry from the threat of cyber attacks.

"In order to assess the broader threat to the aviation system, there is a need to adopt a holistic approach which would include all our IT infrastructure as well as that of our partners," said Tony Tyler, director-general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata), in his keynote address at the Civil Aviation Cyber Security Conference on Thursday.

The sharing of information among different organisations - such as airlines, airports and air navigation service providers - to manage daily operations increases the risk of potential cyber vulnerabilities. Similarly, the greater use of automation and increased connectivity between systems also boosts the number of entry points into systems.

Since last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has started ongoing efforts to review the entire civil aviation sector's cyber systems in Singapore so that the interdependencies across the various systems can be identified.

Cyber security - already a critical issue for most industries - is a heightened concern for the global air transport network, which is expected to carry some 3.5 billion travellers this year.

Last month, Poland's LOT Airline was grounded after hackers allegedly attacked its ground computer systems, causing flight delays and cancellations.

Mr Tyler added: "Industry cooperation, while an absolute necessity, by itself will not get us where we need to be. Governments have resources and access to intelligence that the private sector can never achieve. They also have a responsibility to use these resources to support industry efforts."

Last December, a Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Action Plan was signed by Iata, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International, Civil Air Navigation Services Organization and the International Coordinating Committee of Aerospace Industries Associations. Recommendations to promote a consistent approach to cyber security are being developed by the 39th ICAO assembly next year.

In his opening address, Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Transport (MOT), discussed developing the appropriate responses, noting that there is likely a need for a bigger pool of civil aviation cyber-security professionals.

Mr Pang added: "Another key to developing effective responses lies in fostering greater information sharing and collaboration. It may therefore be useful to consider ways of encouraging civil aviation stakeholders to report all cyber incidents, while balancing concerns about bad publicity and undermining public confidence."

The two-day conference is jointly organised by MOT, CAAS and Singapore Aviation Academy.