Addendum
Asia-Pacific airlines and governments unite to fight cyber threats
March 1st 2018
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is strengthening airlines’ defenses against cyberattacks with the formation of an alliance with regional governments. Read More » Supported by non-AAPA airline, the Qantas Group, the new partnership includes the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Singapore’s Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
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The threat of cyberattacks on airlines, airports and other aviation sectors has been an increasing concern in recent years, where there is close to universal agreement that it is not a matter of “if” an attack will take place but “when”.
The AAPA said the public-private partnership will run a series of capacity building interactive workshops with the first of them held in Singapore last month. Participants included representatives from regulatory agencies, airlines, airports, service providers, suppliers and academia.
Each workshop focuses on risk awareness, strategic planning, strengthening resilience and fostering networks to position the Asia-Pacific as a global leader in aviation cyber resilience.
Issues highlighted at the Singapore workshop were:
* Aviation safety and security is built on a network of trusted relationships
* Growing digital connectivity attracts increased challenges and vulnerabilities
* Wider regional understanding needed about the shared cyber risk environment
* Building more resilient systems that focus on response and recovery to re-establish business continuity
AAPA director general, Andrew Herdman, said at the Singapore workshop: “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 cybersecurity, it is essential to work cooperatively together to strengthen our collective resilience through shared intelligence and technological innovation.
“The 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.”
Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Tobias Feakin, who also spoke at the Singapore workshop, said: “This public private partnership model is an essential element of successful cyber resilience, which will provide the enabling environment for this region’s booming connectivity and growth.”
