By Shirin Pathare, Chief Relationship Officer [Gov], 63SATS Cybertech
The aviation industry, a critical infrastructure underpinning global travel and commerce, is an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. While airlines and airports invest heavily in their own cybersecurity defenses, a significant vulnerability often lies within their supply chain vendors. These third-party organizations, providing everything from aircraft maintenance software to catering services and air traffic management systems, can inadvertently become entry points for malicious actors.
Effectively engaging your supply chain vendors is no longer a luxury; it’s a fundamental pillar of a robust aviation cybersecurity strategy.
Here’s how you can foster a security-conscious ecosystem:
1. Rigorous Due Diligence and Risk Assessment (Know Your Partners):
Before onboarding any vendor, conduct thorough due diligence. This involves more than just checking their service offerings and pricing. You need to assess their cybersecurity posture:
- Example: When selecting a provider for in-flight entertainment systems, don’t just evaluate the content library. Request detailed information about their security protocols, data encryption methods, vulnerability management processes, and past security incidents. Ask for independent security audits and certifications (e.g., ISO 27001).
- Actionable Step: Implement a standardized cybersecurity assessment questionnaire for all potential vendors. This should cover areas like access controls, data protection, incident response plans, and employee security awareness training.
2. Contractual Obligations and Clear Expectations (Spell It Out):
Your contracts with vendors should explicitly outline cybersecurity responsibilities and expectations. Ambiguity can lead to vulnerabilities.
- Example: When contracting with a company for aircraft maintenance software, include clauses that mandate specific security standards for their software development lifecycle, regular security patching, and prompt notification of any security vulnerabilities discovered.
- Actionable Step: Work with your legal team to develop standardized cybersecurity clauses for vendor contracts. These should include requirements for data protection, incident reporting, security audits, and the right to audit the vendor’s security practices.
3. Open Communication and Information Sharing (Stay Connected):
Establish clear channels of communication with your vendors regarding cybersecurity matters. Share relevant threat intelligence and best practices.
- Example: If your internal security team identifies a new phishing campaign targeting the aviation sector, proactively share this information with your key vendors, especially those who handle sensitive data or have access to critical systems.
- Actionable Step: Schedule regular cybersecurity review meetings with critical vendors to discuss potential threats, vulnerabilities, and ongoing security initiatives. Establish a secure communication channel for reporting security incidents.
4. Collaborative Risk Management and Joint Security Planning (Work Together):
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Involve your vendors in your risk management processes and develop joint security plans where necessary.
- Example: For a vendor managing air traffic control software updates, collaborate on a joint security plan that outlines secure update deployment procedures, rollback mechanisms in case of issues, and clear roles and responsibilities for security during the update process.
- Actionable Step: Conduct joint risk assessment workshops with key vendors to identify potential vulnerabilities in the interconnected systems and develop mitigation strategies together.
5. Regular Audits and Assessments (Verify Compliance):
Don’t just set expectations; verify that your vendors are meeting them. Conduct regular security audits and assessments of their systems and practices.
- Example: Periodically audit the security controls of a vendor providing passenger data management services to ensure they are adhering to agreed-upon data protection standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).
- Actionable Step: Implement a schedule for regular security audits of critical vendors, either conducted internally or by a trusted third party. The scope of the audit should be based on the vendor’s criticality and the sensitivity of the data they handle or the systems they access.
6. Incident Response Planning and Drills (Prepare for the Inevitable):
Develop joint incident response plans with your key vendors to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a cyber incident. Conduct simulation exercises to test these plans.
- Example: With a vendor responsible for airport operational systems, create a joint incident response plan that outlines communication protocols, roles and responsibilities, and steps for isolating affected systems in case of a cyberattack. Conduct tabletop exercises to simulate different attack scenarios.
- Actionable Step: Include vendors in your incident response planning workshops and conduct joint cybersecurity drills to test communication channels, escalation procedures, and technical response capabilities.
7. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement (Stay Vigilant):
Cyber threats are constantly evolving. Implement continuous monitoring of your vendors’ security posture and work with them on ongoing improvements.
- Example: Utilize security information and event management (SIEM) systems to monitor logs and security events from vendor-managed systems (where applicable and agreed upon). Track vendor compliance with security patching schedules.
- Actionable Step: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for vendor cybersecurity and regularly review their performance. Encourage vendors to adopt a culture of continuous security improvement.
The Cost of Inaction:
Ignoring the cybersecurity risks within your supply chain can have severe consequences for the aviation industry, including:
- Data Breaches: Compromising sensitive passenger data, operational information, or intellectual property.
- Operational Disruptions: Leading to flight delays, cancellations, and airport shutdowns.
- Financial Losses: Including regulatory fines, legal fees, and reputational damage.
- Safety Concerns: In extreme cases, cyberattacks could potentially compromise critical aircraft or air traffic control systems.
By proactively engaging your supply chain vendors and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for cybersecurity, the aviation industry can significantly reduce its attack surface and build a more resilient and secure future for air travel. It’s not just about securing your own house; it’s about ensuring the entire neighborhood is protected.
