Asia-Pacific airlines want industry co-operation on cyber-security threats

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines has called on the region’s aviation industry to co-operate on strengthening cyber-security as increasing digital connectivity makes it a bigger target for hackers. The AAPA recently joined forces with the Qantas Group, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Department, Singapore’s Ministry of transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to find ways to strengthen cyber resilience in the region through a series of workshops. The interactive workshops are designed to bring together industry stakeholders to look at issues such as risk awareness, strategic planning, strengthening resilience and fostering links within aviation. "The risk of cyber-attacks is ever present,’’ AAPA director general Andrew Herdman said in a statement.  “Although our cyber-security defenses may be robust, it is never enough. In the long term, system breaches and break-ins are inevitable. "Therefore, on cyber-security, it is essential to work cooperatively together to strengthen our collective resilience, through shared intelligence and technological innovation." The first workshop was held at the Singapore Aviation Academy, Singapore, on February 7 and participants included representatives from regulatory agencies, airlines, airports, service providers, suppliers and academia. It found aviation safety and security was built on a network of trusted relationships and that growing digital connectivity brought with it increased challenges and vulnerabilities It also identified a need for a wider regional understanding of the shared cyber risk environment as well as to build more resilient systems. These systems needed to focus on response and recovery aimed at re-establishing business continuity, participants said. The identified issues are due to be discussed in the three remaining workshops in the public-private partnership. "AAPA is committed to working in partnership with other aviation stakeholders to develop, implement and enhance strategies for strengthening cyber security and resilience of the aviation sector," Herdman said. Cyber-security has become an increasing worry for airlines and airports. The AAPA move comes after the head of technology at Australia’s biggest airport last year called for an industry-wide conversation on the threats posed by cyber-attacks. Sydney Airport general manager technology Stuart Rattray made the call during a presentation at the Australian Airports Association annual conference that outlined the increasing sophistication and rapidly changing nature of cyber-security threats.