The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says it is working with the Computer Emergency Response Team of the European Union Institutions (CERT-EU) to help protect the European aviation industry against “intentional and malicious attacks” on information technology systems.
The two organizations plan to establish the European Centre for Cyber Security in Aviation (ECCSA), which will provide information and assistance to manufacturers, airlines, maintenance organizations, air navigation service providers and others in the aviation community to protect aircraft, navigation and surveillance systems, data links and other critical elements of the system.
“CERT-EU will make available cyber security tools and information for the development of ECCSA’s specialized aviation cyber security components and services,” EASA said. “EASA and CERT-EU … will maintain and exchange information through ECCSA on threats affecting the sector.”
EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky added, “With this cooperation, EASA will develop its capability to handle cyber security threats in its mission and within its remit to improve the overall safety of air transport.”
The first phase of the program, in 2017 and 2018, will include development of a public website for reporting cyber security news and ECCSA initiatives. Other elements of the program include intelligence services for members and a platform for members to exchange relevant information about cyber security, EASA said.
