The aviation industry has faced a significant in the last few decades. Globalization, tourism, and remote work opportunities have encouraged people to travel and explore more. Like any other industry, the aviation industry is also highly dependent on technological advancements. Due to this and a lot more factors, it is a hot target for cybercriminals.Cybercriminals use a lot of tactics and cyber threats to access sensitive data and misuse it. Although the authorities invest in cybersecurity, the measures often prove insufficient. Developing knowledge of common cyber threats and taking countermeasures timely are the best options to contain the damages.Scroll down into the details of this article to get your hands on typical cyber threats for the aviation industry that you must know about to take countermeasures timely.
Top 5 Cyber Threats for the Aviation Industry
The aviation industry is one of the busiest industries in the world with a lot of sensitive data and information. Millions of people travel domestically and internationally daily. The airlines and airport setups have their records, along with other sensitive data. All these make the aviation industry a lucrative target for cybercriminals and cyber threats.Here are the most common cyber threats for the aviation industry that you need to watch out for to limit the loss.
Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are the first and foremost cyber threat for the aviation industry that you must know about. The aviation industry relies highly on technology and software systems for flight operations. Cybercriminals can hack into the system and take control of the flights and planes, which can cause significant disturbance and fury.It can even pose death threats if the plane is in mid-air and hackers might demand high ransom in return. Optimizing cybersecurity and implementing digital risk protection measures are the only solutions to avoid such attacks altogether. Authorities often hire experts from digital risk protection services to keep a close watch on cyberspace and implement proactive measures to thwart ransomware attacks.
Insider Threats
Insider threats are the next type of cyber threat for the aviation industry. Airline staff, airport staff, and related authorities often have access to sensitive data, control systems, and other setups. The employees or staff might get tempted by external factors and choose to misuse their access and attack the setup.Such an attack is termed an insider attack and is equally damaging as any other type of cyber-attack. In some instances, insider attacks cause more reputational damage and put other employees in a bind, as they will also be suspected and face tough repercussions. Offering access after significant consideration and implementing proactive cybersecurity measures are the typical solutions to contain the damages of insider attacks.
Spear Phishing Attacks
Spear phishing attacks are the next common type of cyber threat for the aviation industry. Such attacks manipulate and trick the employees into sharing sensitive data. The attackers usually pose as an internal authority or official account to trick the staff. They might ask for some access links, account details, or other sensitive data.The employees need to be trained to stay alert of such attack attempts and not fall victim to them. In case, the attackers succeed in spear phishing attacks, it can cause immense financial and reputational damage. You must consult and onboard professional cyber security experts to limit the chances of success for cyber threats.
Control System Hacking
Control system hacking is the next cyber threat for the aviation industry in this advanced era. The aviation setup utilizes advanced technologies to build connections between airports, and planes to manage the air traffic smoothly.Cybercriminals can hack the control system of a plane or a control tower and halt the operation. They might even hijack a flight in midair by hacking into its control system. Setting up multi-layer security walls, implementing digital risk protection, and onboarding cybersecurity experts to monitor the situation are the most common measures to optimize overall security.
Data Breaches
Data breaches are the last typical cyber threat for the aviation industry that you must know about. The industry has access to a lot of sensitive passenger data and internal information. It includes details of flight operations, aviation staff, confidential data, financial records mile details of the passengers, and a lot more.Cybercriminals can hack into the internal systems of airlines and launch various attacks to access sensitive data. Data breaches in the aviation industry can cause immense loss to the reputation of the airline and may even cause loss to the passengers. Implementing cybersecurity practices is inevitable to contain the damages. You can also hire
digital risk protection services and let experts secure your cyberspace against all sorts of attacks.
Do You Need Cybersecurity for Aviation Setup?
A single cybersecurity expert is not enough to secure an airport setup or related aspects of the aviation industry. You must have professional cybersecurity teams to manage security efficiently. Feel free to consult professional service providers and opt for the recommended measures.
