2021 is a significant year for aviation. It marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the worst acts of unlawful interference in the history of aviation. It is also the Year of Security Culture for the ICAO community, which aims to enhance security awareness and foster a security culture throughout the industry. The importance of understanding the threat to aviation and promoting best practices in security throughout all aviation operations is imperative considering that the air transport sector continues to modernize and digitize.

Systemic risks and cascading effects

As a result, new and emerging cyber risks threaten the data, systems and technological infrastructure of airports, airlines and air navigation service providers as well as many other service suppliers.

“This digital penetration will only increase with time, especially considering the continuous innovation being seen in communications and applications, and the advent of new airspace users such as drones and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems,” noted Dr. Fang Liu, ICAO’s Secretary General, at a virtual event to launch the World Economic Forum (WEF) ‘Pathways to a Cyber Resilient Aviation Industry’ study.

The study describes how airlines, airports and aircraft manufacturers currently take different approaches to countering cyber-risks. It includes a warning that rising levels of interdependency within the industry “can lead to systemic risks and cascading effects.”

To address these emerging cyber risks and safeguard the aviation industry, the WEF collaborated with Deloitte and connected with leaders from 50 organizations including ICAO, NCSC, EASA, IATA, ACI, Eurocontrol and UK CAA to determine how the aviation sector can prepare against future security incidents and cyber-attacks. The study was developed in the framework of the WEF Cyber Resilience in Aviation initiative to create a streamlined and harmonized approach among all civil aviation authorities.

“The work of the World Economic Forum on aviation cyber (Read more...)