By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
The aviation industry, often considered one of the most secure and regulated sectors, is now facing a growing and invisible adversary—cyber threats.
A recent study by CyberPeace, a global cybersecurity research organization, has exposed alarming vulnerabilities within India’s aviation infrastructure.
The report, titled “Exploring Cyber Threats and Digital Risks in the Indian Aviation Ecosystem,” provides a deep dive into cyber risks that could potentially cripple airline operations, compromise passenger safety, and disrupt national security.
Between June and August 2024, CyberPeace conducted real-time attack simulations, recording a staggering 80,588 cyberattack incidents in a simulated aviation network.
The findings paint a troubling picture—India’s aviation sector is a prime target for cybercriminals worldwide.
Who’s Attacking and How?
CyberPeace’s research uncovered a wide range of attack methods, with hackers primarily targeting key communication and database systems. The most vulnerable protocols included:
- Telnet – 64,104 attacks
- MySQL – 15,629 attacks
- HTTP – 512 attacks
- FTP – 217 attacks
Attackers employed brute force techniques, attempting to break into systems using 296 unique usernames and 15,928 passwords. This highlights weak authentication mechanisms within aviation networks, leaving them susceptible to unauthorized access.
What makes these threats even more concerning is their global nature. Malicious traffic was traced back to China, India, the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan, underscoring how cyberattacks in aviation are not just local issues but part of a larger geopolitical battlefield.
Real-World Consequences: A Growing Concern
Cyber threats to aviation are not just theoretical—they have real-world implications. In recent years, international airlines have fallen victim to cyberattacks, leading to severe financial and operational disruptions.
- British Airways Data Breach (2018) – Hackers accessed personal and financial information of over 400,000 customers, leading to a record £183 million fine under GDPR regulations.
- Swissport Ransomware Attack (2022) – A cyberattack on Swissport, a major aviation services provider, resulted in flight delays and operational chaos at multiple airports.
- Air India Data Leak (2021) – Personal data of 4.5 million passengers was exposed after a cyberattack on the airline’s passenger service system provider, SITA.
The Indian aviation sector is not immune to these dangers. With digital transformation driving increased reliance on cloud-based infrastructure, IoT devices, and real-time data analytics, the attack surface has expanded significantly.
“The findings of this report serve as a wake-up call for the Indian aviation industry,” said Major Vineet, founder and global president of CyberPeace. “Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it is an essential pillar of aviation safety and operational resilience. We urge stakeholders to take immediate steps to fortify their systems against cyber threats.”
The study uncovered botnet activity, exposed login credentials, and financial data leaks, increasing the risks of identity theft, fraud, and unauthorized access to critical systems.
This could lead to:
- Disruptions in air traffic control
- Unauthorized access to passenger databases
- Manipulation of flight schedules and operations
- Financial fraud involving airline ticketing and loyalty programs
With India set to become the third-largest aviation market by 2030, the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks is more critical than ever.
