4.3 Aviation Security

 Aviation has always faced various security threats, but has been top of mind for many in the field since 9/11. The security surrounding aviation has changed dramatically since 2001 as a result, yet there continue to be ongoing threats that pose risks to aviation. 

One of the newer threats are those related to cyber attacks in regards to aviation. With increased automation and operational control being digital, there is a new avenue for those with malicious intent to harm aviation safety. Software is now a huge player in aviation, whether it be the software on a plane, the operational control software, TSA screening software or many others, it is an easily accessible point of intrusion which could lead to security breaches. Another potential threat is the possibility of remote hijacking of an aircraft or even an ATC facility to create safety and security threats. ADS-B and GPS tracking of aircraft is a new area for potential breach of aviation security, in fact “ADS-B signals look a lot like little bits of computer code. But unlike traffic on the Internet, these signals are unencrypted and unauthenticated” (Henn, 2012). 

All the various layers that the TSA uses to ensure security apply to cyber threats, however some layers have more value than others in these situations. Intelligence, joint terrorism task force, No-fly list, crew vetting, and behaviour detection stand out as the most critical security layers in regards to cyber threats (Burns, 2017). 

References: 

Burns, B. (2017, August 1). Inside look: TSA layers of security. Inside Look: TSA Layers of Security | Transportation Security Administration. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/08/01/inside-look-tsa-layers-security 

Henn, S. (2012, August 14). Could the new Air Traffic Control System be hacked? NPR. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2012/08/16/158758161/could-the-new-air-traffic-control-system-be-hacked