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4.3 Aviation Security




         Cybersecurity in aviation operations has been on more than a few's minds ever since airplanes have come to heavily rely on computers. People like Helga Munger have written about the emerging threat of system hacking and the fears of a second 9/11-type attack... except this time, they won't need to be on board the aircraft.

           More realistically, cyberattacks within the airport stations that steal credit card numbers or crash systems used to give the pilots sensitive information are a scary thought for many. Airports always have very extensive layers o firewall protection and IT teams to battle this very possible thing, but you are " only as strong as your weakest link," (Munger, 2018, pg. 1).
       
          A possible IT failure could be detrimental to an airport. Airports hold so much Sensitive Information that criminals would love to get their hands on, so what could be done to mitigate this risk? Of course, IT teams are your first bet. Airports need a team of people who know exactly what they are doing, because a hacker, or group of hackers, are going to know exactly what they are doing, too. Secondly, TSA agents should also remain present in order to search laptops or other electronic devices and device cases for physical hacking tools such as a magspoof, which can mimic exactly any magnetic strip on any credit card to be used to steal information from computers. Thirdly, airport employees should continue to train new staff to recognize Cyber threats when they see them, such as differences in computer screen layouts, or being blocked from accessing important, security-sensitive information. 

             I recommend that airlines simply make sue they are insured for cyber threats, and take very seriously who they hire for IT persons. Trusting TSA as your second layer of security, ( after virus protections and IT people who are trained to prevent hacking), is also recommended.

References:    Munger, H. (n.d.). Cyber threats in aviation: Munich Re. Retrieved from https://www.munichre.com/topics-online/en/digitalisation/cyber/cyber-threats-in-aviation.html

                        Inside Look: TSA Layers of Security. (2019, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2017/08/01/inside-look-tsa-layers-security

           

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