B A C K C H A T
ADO YOU TAKE SECURITY SERIOUSLY? n alert from the USA’s Department of
Homeland Security recommended this
summer that aircraft owners need to make
sure they restrict unauthorized physical
access to their aircraft until the industry develops
safeguards to address the issue.
According to an investigation conducted by Boston
based cyber security company Rapid7, once inside
an aircraft, an attacker can easily attach a device to
avionics equipment onboard which can then be used to
inject false data into equipment that potentially results in
the loss of control of the aircraft.
Your view
1. ARE YOU CONSIDERING INTRODUCING EXTRA MEASURES AT YOUR AIRPORT OR ON
YOUR AIRCRAFT AS A RESULT OF THE SECURITY ALERT ISSUED EARLIER THIS SUMMER?
YES 20% NO 80%
2. DO YOU FEEL THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES USED IN BUSINESS
AND GENERAL AVIATION ARE AS DEVELOPED AS IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION?
3. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF UNAUTHORIZED PEOPLE ACCESSING A BUSINESS
JET OR GENERAL AVIATION AIRCRAFT WHILST IT IS ON THE GROUND?
4. DO YOU THINK GENERALLY THAT ACCESS TO AIRCRAFT AT SMALLER BUSINESS AND
GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS AND FBOS COULD BE IMPROVED TO BE MORE SECURE?
5. DO YOU PERCEIVE HACKERS TAKING CONTROL OF A BUSINESS JET OR GENERAL
AVIATION AIRCRAFT AS A CREDIBLE RISK?
82 | BU S INE S S A I R P O RT INT E RNAT I ONA L O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9
Most readers have not been influenced
by the government security alert.
Many have seen strangers where they
shouldn’t be, with some commenting
that the industry does not want to
address the issue of access control
Most readers do not see cyber crime as
posing a risk to their operations.
YES 82%
YES 19%
Readers clearly believe business
aviation’s security is as tight as the
larger, commercial sector’s.
YES 73% NO 27%
NO 18%
Readers commented that a lack of funding
holds back investment in security at most
general aviation airports
YES 64% NO 36%
NO 81%
The alert was reported on
by the Associated Press and
the story was reproduced across
media outlets. The business aviation
sector was quick to react, with the
NBAA writing a letter and issuing a statement
disputing the report. The statement claimed that security
for business and general aviation is sufficient and
always a top priority for the industry.
We asked our readers for their thoughts on the level
of security at business and general aviation airports and
securing access to aircraft.
Index to advertisers
Aeroport de Bergerac Dordogne Perigord .............................................67
Aeroport de Sion .........................................................................................37
Air Service Basel GmbH ............................................................................12
Avfuel Corporation ......................................................................................57
Bangor International Airport ......................................................................76
Bent Wing Flight Services .........................................................................15
Business Air .................................................................................................81
Cat Air Service.............................................................................................76
Castle & Cooke Aviation ............................................................................29
Collins Aerospace .......................................................................................59
DC Aviation Al-Futtaim LLC ......................................... outside back cover
DC Aviation Malta Ltd .................................................................................65
Finavia Business Flight Center .................................................................83
Global Trek Aviation ....................................................................................51
IAM Jet Centre ..................................................................inside back cover
Jeppesen ......................................................................................................61
Jet Aviation ...................................................................................................71
jetCenters of Colorado .................................................................................5
Limousinesworldwide.com ........................................................................65
Manny Aviation Services ..........................................................................41
Mototok International GmbH ..................................................................80
Milano Prime ................................................................................................77
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NBAA.............................................................................................................27
Paragon Aviation Group .............................................................................11
Port City Air .................................................................................................74
Rifl e Garfi eld County Airport .......................................................................9
Sky Valet ......................................................................................................35
Skylink Services Ltd ...................................................................................17
Southair Iceland ..........................................................................................74
Vinci Airports................................................................................................43
World Fuel Services .................................................................................55
Port City Air .................................................................................................74
XLR Executive Jet Centres ......................................................................45
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