The aerospace industry is transforming at a rapid pace in response to growing public and commercial demands. Space-based systems now support a wide range of uses, including internet connectivity for paying customers and climate data tracking for public institutions. The skies represent a new boon for humanity as new, passenger and automated technologies emerge. But these changes come with new vulnerabilities in terms of aerospace cybersecurity.
Already, the average cost of a data breach in the aviation industry is “approximately $1 million [USD] higher than other industries,” Cybernews reports. As the multi-sponsored, interconnected systems of aeronautics become more sophisticated, cybersecurity must become central to strategic and operational decisions moving forward.
In this article, we consider the unique cybersecurity threats faced by the aerospace sector and the potential consequences of security breaches. We also determine how new cybersecurity technologies, services, and strategies can help organizations in the aerospace industry protect their data and systems—and consequently, key aspects of our modern technology infrastructure.
Compared to other industries, cybersecurity in aerospace is particularly complex. Most aeronautic operations involve multiple parties and often antiquated systems designed without modern cybersecurity requirements in mind.
What’s more, the industry is becoming increasingly attractive to both criminal and nation-state attackers. In 2022, ransomware was the most common type of cybersecurity attack on aerospace organizations—it accounted for over 30% of attacks, according to Cybernews. But attackers are evolving as its infrastructure becomes more critical, and its data more sensitive and valuable.
In 2023, “suspected nation-state attacks [used] the PowerDrop PowerShell script against the US aerospace industry,” Security Week reports. “Built from a PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) remote access trojan (RAT), it allows attackers to execute commands remotely on the victims’ networks.”
Shockingly, many aerospace systems are less secure than our consumer devices. That’s because aerospace systems—ground control systems for spacecraft, for example—were developed decades ago and are expensive to replace. Aviation resources are usually interconnected with other assets, both remotely and directly, which may have been developed by other manufacturers with varying levels of cybersecurity maturity as well.
These complexities create unique risks for aerospace organizations. Here is a closer look at some of the key cybersecurity challenges across different verticals within the aerospace industry:
Commercial Air Travel. Attackers will attempt to exploit airlines’ networks, frequent flyer data, cabin management systems, and passenger databases for commercial or political purposes. For example, A distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack arising from Russia’s war in Ukraine targeted multiple airport websites. The industry must continually update its threat intelligence to protect against attackers targeting customer information or the aircraft systems themselves.
Military Aviation. Military aviation is a critical part of national defense and requires an even higher degree of cybersecurity control than civil aviation. An attack on a military aircraft’s mission-critical systems could have catastrophic consequences, and defense organizations must take proactive steps to protect against attacks such as remote code execution.
State-Led Space Operations. With growing government investments in international space exploration and experimentation, attackers may attempt to hijack satellite control systems or even disrupt human transports. Attackers may also target ground systems that support these space operations.
Commercial Space Activities. “The emergence of the global space economy introduces new cybersecurity risks and challenges as the deployment of these systems skyrockets,” says Forrester. Attackers may attempt to target multiple satellite systems, such as communications satellites that provide internet connectivity for businesses and consumers.
Unfortunately, many organizations have yet to adopt modern technologies and strategies that can protect against sophisticated, targeted attacks. Cybersecurity is the “soft underbelly of these global space networks,” says Lieutenant-General Stephen N. Whiting of US Space Force’s Space Operations Command (SpOC). As suggested, the reasons for these shortcomings are widespread; for example:
Fortunately, global cybersecurity solutions for the aerospace industry are growing rapidly. Allied Market Research predicts the global aerospace cybersecurity market will grow from 39.7 billion USD in 2021 to 92.0 billion USD in 2023., with a “rising severity of cyber attacks” driving that growth.
The industry will be bolstered by emerging cybersecurity tools common to other industries, as well as unique system reconfigurations that put cybersecurity at the foundation of existing and emerging hardware and systems. For example:
Network Security. Network security solutions provide visibility into network traffic, enabling organizations to detect malicious activity in real-time and take appropriate action. Secure Web Gateways (SWG) or network firewalls can help protect against external cyber threats while Next-Gen Endpoint Protection (NGEP) solutions can protect against internal threats, such as malware or ransomware.
Authentication. Authorization to access aerospace systems is critical, especially within air travel or space operations. Authentication tools such as two-factor authentication or biometrics can provide a new layer of security. Identity and access management (IAM) solutions can also provide an extra layer of protection by enforcing granular access control and monitoring for suspicious user activity.
Data Encryption & Tokenization. Encrypting data at its source makes it difficult for attackers to access sensitive information that might put aerospace systems or participants at risk. Tokenization tools generate random tokens that replace a user’s data, reducing the risk of data theft and safeguarding companies from cyberattacks.
Intrusion Detection. “The backbone of a cyber-resilient spacecraft should be a robust intrusion detection system (IDS),” according to a special report by Forbes. Intrusion detection systems monitor and analyze user activities to detect suspicious behavior, allowing organizations to proactively respond to cyber threats.
Network Segmentation. In 2023, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has released new network segmentation requirements for all TSA-regulated aircraft and operators: “network segmentation policies and controls to ensure that operational technology systems can continue to safely operate in the event that an information technology system has been compromised.” Network segmentation can significantly reduce an attacker’s access to critical systems and data by creating “walled gardens” that limit privileges for different user groups or functions. By limiting access and activity, network segmentation can prevent attackers from spreading malware or launching data exfiltration attacks throughout a network.
A holistic approach to cybersecurity transformation isn’t easy—particularly in a field with such a wide variety of hardware, systems, and stakeholders involved. but aerospace leaders can begin their transformation through coordination with their partners and participation with consultants and vendors who specialize in aerospace cybersecurity. Here are five ways leaders in any aerospace organization can begin.
Cybersecurity measures should be driven from the top-down, starting with leadership commitment and visibility into security initiatives. “Airlines need to anchor cybersecurity as a protector and IT infrastructure as an enabler of innovation on top of the chief information officer’s agenda,” McKinsey suggests.
Business, IT, and security leaders can partner with a third-party specialist to identify existing vulnerabilities in systems or data, and develop measures to mitigate those risks. Organizations can use a variety of tools and services, including automated vulnerability scanning solutions or network security assessments to identify weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.
Organizations should invest in the tools and services that will provide the most effective cybersecurity for their unique operations. Depending on the organization’s needs, this could include authentication solutions such as two-factor authentication or Identity & Access Management (IAM), network security solutions such as secure web gateways (SWG) or firewalls, data encryption and tokenization tools, or intrusion detection systems (IDS), among others.
Organizations should provide their teams with cybersecurity training and implement industry-recognized best practices. This includes regularly updating software, turning on two-factor authentication (2FA) for accounts, enforcing the use of secure passwords, and monitoring access to systems and data. Additionally, organizations should require that all users use company-approved devices when accessing their networks.
Incidents occur when (a) an organization’s company, systems, users, or equipment changes; (b) attackers develop new capabilities for breaching existing defenses; or both. With the support of a partner and cybersecurity specialist, aerospace organizations can ensure that any changes in their organization, processes, or other factors are identified and addressed before they become security vulnerabilities.
It is an exciting time in history as air and space operations become more ambitious, automated, and available to the broader public. As the aerospace industry continues to expand, its security measures must evolve in tandem. With a comprehensive cybersecurity plan and the right tools and vendors in place, aerospace organizations can confidently embrace new technology while protecting their data, systems, and passengers from malicious attackers.
Semifly is a leading hardware, managed services, and security provider for aerospace organizations. Our experts and consultants partner with both entrants and industry leaders to develop custom solutions for their unique needs. Contact us today to learn more.
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