Eurocontrol data from the agency’s EATM-CERT (European Air Traffic Management Computer Emergency Response Team) shows that cyber-attacks are increasing drastically. There is a whopping 530% year-on-year rise from 2019 to 2020 in reported incidents across the aviation industry. At one point, United Airlines had to suspend all its flights over the United States when false flight plans appeared on its computer systems. Later, various forms of malware were detected in personal email accounts. Cyber attacks not only cause huge financial and commercial damage but puts the lives of many at risk.

The aviation industry is constantly striving to improve its efficiency and service quality. Hence, it works with innovative technological advancements. Yet, this integration of new technologies comes at the cost of a deeper vulnerability to cyber threats. Cyber-attacks can be directed at any of the many aircraft systems that are necessary for safe and smooth flights. And many such systems are part and parcel of the aircraft. This includes everything from navigation systems to telecommunication and information-measuring devices that are on board.

The information channels for data exchange between control systems and the onboard systems of an aircraft are particularly easy targets for hackers. Hackers can substitute data on these channels or feed false control commands. This information data in control channels are therefore an object of control and require serious protection against possible hacker attacks.

While the threat to the aviation industry can cost lives, it is possible to prevent such mishaps by understanding and working on defending the vulnerabilities in its systems. What we need are well-thought-out solutions. For example, there are software-hardware complexes which ensures information security on aircraft. They are easy to install directly on an aircraft of any class. It determines whether existing devices have been replaced or new ones installed on the aircraft data bus and constantly monitors information exchange channels for hardware bugs and malicious sequences. If a threat is detected, the device blocks it and notifies the pilot/aircraft owner of the blocked attack. Meanwhile, the normal functioning of all key components of the aircraft is monitored continuously.