With the safety and security of the global aviation system potentially vulnerable to attacks from hackers and other cyber criminals, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airports Council International (ACI), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industry Associations (ICCAIA), have agreed on a common roadmap to align their respective actions on cyber threats.
The five major international aviation organizations signed a new cybersecurity agreement late last week formalizing their common front against the hackers, "˜hacktivist"™, cyber criminals and terrorists now focused on malicious intent ranging from the theft of information and general disruption to potential loss of life.
"Our common goal in developing this agreement is to work more effectively together to establish and promote a robust cybersecurity culture and strategy for the benefit of all actors in our industry," commented ICAO Secretary General Raymond Benjamin.
To better coordinate their actions and responses, the cyber agreement signatories will now be more proactive in sharing critical information such as threat identification, risk assessments and cybersecurity best practices. They will also be encouraging more substantial coordination at the State level between their respective government and industry stakeholders on all cybersecurity strategies, policies, and plans.
"As technologies rapidly evolve and become more readily accessible to all, cyber threats cannot be ignored," Benjamin stressed. "This is an important new area of aviation security concern and our global community will ensure that it is met with a strong level of commitment and response."
