Safeguarding airports against cyberattacks: Here’s how technology can help
– By Sanjay Sudhakaran
In January 2023, it came as a new year shocker for air travellers in the United States when a system outage grounded all aircrafts, dampening the holiday spirits in the country. This incident resulted in over 4000 delayed and 600 cancelled flights, and spiralled a global conversation around cyberattacks in airports.
Talking about the numbers here, global smart airports market size is expected to grow from UЅD 7.7 billion in 2023 to UЅD 19.4 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 9.7 per cent during the forecast period. It is safe to say that the aviation industry is growing at a fast rate. India, not being an exception, is investing heavily in ramping up airport infrastructure to boost domestic and global connectivity. The country is accelerating efforts to enhance the operational capabilities of airports to advance its economic progress, sustain increasing cargo operations, meet passenger expectations and demands, and make financial gains. Indian airports are also undergoing digital transformation on a gargantuan scale and upgrading existing systems to achieve operational efficiency.
Airports are high value assets of national importance, that operate 24x7x365, and incidents of cyberattacks therein necessitate achieving cyber resilience to make them digitally secured. Today, as the aviation industry is growing, airport infrastructure is becoming more complex in operations. To meet challenging demands and enhance passenger security along with operational efficiency, usage of the latest digital technologies is extremely important. However, while digitalization of airports unlocks enormous opportunities, it also opens the doors for potential risks and threats which can expose vulnerabilities of a highly digitalized ecosystem. Therefore, prioritizing their cybersecurity with smart technologies becomes the need of the hour.
It is quite possible for unauthorized players these days to get access to sensitive data, bring down large connected systems, disrupt traffic, cause financial and reputational damage, increase incidents of safety breaches, and security-related hazards at airports. It is the need of the hour to make airports smarter by integrating the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT).
Today, smart cybersecurity systems carry the potential of identifying threats with early detection and real time monitoring of crucial IT infrastructure. It is here that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) bring the convenience of analysing huge data sets coming from digital systems, identifying data patterns, and conducting timely risk assessments to find vulnerable zones and prevent cyberattacks. Apart from early threat detection and real time monitoring, superior digital tools are capable of utilizing the learnings from cyberattacks that happened in the past to bolster security measures for the future.
Likewise, IoT-enabled devices including sensors, cameras, and others enable better monitoring of threats against airport infrastructure. Apart from automating security processes and enhancing threat mitigation responses, they are capable of reducing the chances of human errors by ensuring timely intervention to safeguard critical systems, sensitive data and ensure overall safety. IoT devices enhance operational efficiency through real-time data analytics and predictive maintenance, streamlining of processes and reduction of downtime and delays.
Moreover, passenger security at airports is of utmost importance and smart solutions with features like facial recognition, video analytics and others help to strengthen security measures, bring more convenience to travellers, and enhance overall airport experience.
In addition to the measures suggested above, network segmentation, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS), access control systems, encryption, advanced threat protection, security information and event management (SIEM), and incident response planning (IRP) can be used to prevent cyberattacks at airports. Not to mention smart features like facial recognition and video analytics which helps strengthen security measures to bring more convenience to travellers while enhancing overall airport experience.
However, these technologies must be implemented and maintained properly to be effective, and airport personnel must be trained on usage of these technologies and cyberattack response management. Additionally, regular testing, updating, and upgradation of these elements is essential to ensure that airports are protected against these threats.
Achieving cyber resilience at airports is gaining traction with increased need for safety and efficiency. The innovative technologies not just make it possible to build smart airports but carry the potential to make them digitally secured against risks or threats which are constantly evolving. At this juncture, it is important to leverage advancements in these smart and intelligent technologies to manage safety and security systems of airports proactively and efficiently.
(Sanjay Sudhakaran is the MD & CEO of Schneider Electric Infrastructure Limited.)
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