Partners and Programs:
Partners and Programs:

FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS

701 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 250,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone: +1 703 739 6700 Fax: +1 703 739 6708

Podcasts

Welcome to the Foundation’s podcast page. Below you will find interviews with safety experts from around the industry on a range of topics of interest to aviation safety professionals. New podcasts will be added as they are recorded. The views expressed in the podcasts are those of the speakers, and not necessarily those of the Foundation.

If you have a topic that you believe would be of interest to the aviation community, please get in touch with Vice President, Global Programs, Greg Marshall at marshall@flightsafety.org. Interviews can be conducted in-person at our head office or via Skype.

News, Safety Oversight

FAA Faulted on DataComm Security Measures

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is failing to promptly mitigate security risks involving its new Data Communications (DataComm) system, designed to upgrade communication between air traffic controllers and flight crews, a government watchdog agency says.

The Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) said in a report released earlier this week that, as of May 10, the FAA had not addressed two security control vulnerabilities in its high-impact plans of action and milestones (POA&M). The plans were originally scheduled for completion in October 2017, but the completion date has been delayed.

“It is critical that FAA incorporate sufficient controls to protect against potential security threats to that [controller-pilot] communication, including an effective contingency plan to ensure a quick recovery from losses of DataComm availability,” the report said.

The OIG’s report focused on two DataComm systems — the Data Communications network Service and Tower Data Link Services, noting that contingency plans for the two are “sufficient to limit the effects of DataComm unavailability.”

FSF Editorial Staff. July 6, 2018

News, Technology

EASA Initiates Aviation Cyber Security Program

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.

FSF Editorial Staff. February 16, 2017