ENISA Publishes Report on Cyber Security at Airports

The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), a hub for cyber security expertise, has released a report called Securing Smart Airports. It provides a guide to security officials and airport chiefs on preventing cyber attacks.

Smart airports employ integrated Internet of Things (IoT) components to better cater to customers.

However, with smart integration, airports are becoming more susceptible to new attack vectors and a larger attack surface.

Consequently, airports need to provide greater cyber security levels on a daily basis to combat the threat posed by cyber crime, and make travellers and airport operators safer.

Udo Helmbrecht, executive director of ENISA, said:

“Integrating IoT on the existing airport infrastructure brings new security challenges.

“To ensure safety, operators need to incorporate cyber security in all stages of the security life cycle.”

The study includes eight recommendations to improve the resilience and security of smart airports.

Included in the recommendations are the continual revision of practices and policies based on monitoring of good practices, the allocation of cyber security resources and experts, prioritising safety and cyber security, and integrating network-based threat management and holistic risk processes and policies for cyber security.

Airports are being targetted for improved cyber security for obvious reasons. Whether an industry or an individual business is upgrading security policies or creating cyber security jobs, it all bodes well for a future that is going to have to deal with threats from hackers and other cyber criminals. It’s a harsh reality, but reality nevertheless.