Due to its complexity, aerospace technology is exposed to a wide range of cybersecurity risks, which affect it to a greater or lesser extent depending on the security measures implemented to counteract them.
These risks include:
- Sabotageof installations, servers and communications
- Attacks on surveillance and control surveillance and control systems
- The disruption of essential servicesessential services, such as communications, navigation and meteorology
- Interceptioncommunications
- Disturbance or manipulationof communications related to air traffic, supply of goods, location of objects via satellite
Cybersecurity professionals believe one way to have better aerospace cybersecurity is to make security a priority in design.
By designing aircraft with security already top-of-mind, companies can prevent rearguard actions necessary to correct vulnerabilities that would have otherwise never existed if security had been more highly prioritized from the beginning.
As more threats are realized, the need to protect against them while aircraft are still being designed will be more and more important; if it isn’t already, digital and physical security will soon be the fourth critical measurement of an aerospace and defense company, along with cost, quality and schedule.
To encourage more cyber-proof designs, organizations like the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) published an aerospace cybersecurity standard, NAS9933.
NAS9933 was designed to provide “dynamic, risk-based assessments and solutions” to cybersecurity threats, and to act as a “supplement” to requirements outlined by the U.S. Department of Defense. Specifically, NAS9933 was written so that it can be implemented by smaller organizations just as easily as large ones.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Aerospace Cybersecurity Training, a 2-day course where participants learn the specific cybersecurity challenges and threats within the aerospace industry.
Those in attendance also gain proficiency in implementing cybersecurity measures tailored to aerospace systems and networks.
This course is designed for professionals working in the aerospace industry, including aerospace engineers, cybersecurity specialists, systems engineers, IT professionals, aviation professionals, and government/military personnel involved in aerospace operations.
Additionally, Aerospace Cybersecurity Training is beneficial for anyone seeking to understand the intersection of cybersecurity and aerospace technology, including policymakers, researchers, and consultants.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.