What Happened
Cybersecurity Weaknesses Put Flights At Risk Of Disruption
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has warned that malicious actors could send fraudulent air traffic control messages to aircraft, potentially disrupting flights and creating safety hazards. The watchdog identified cybersecurity weaknesses in aircraft communications systems and gaps in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) ability to detect and respond to threats. The GAO called on the FAA to work with federal agencies and aviation industry stakeholders to develop and implement a plan to strengthen authentication and data protection. The report was published by AeroTime.