Securing the Skies: How Airlines Can Safeguard Against IT Vulnerabilities

The airline industry operates at the intersection of technology and transportation, relying heavily on digital systems to provide seamless passenger experiences and efficient operations. From operational, ticketing, and customer service to crew rostering, data management, and in-flight entertainment, software is the backbone of modern air travel.

However, this reliance on technology introduces significant cybersecurity risks, making it a main target for cyberattacks. In this article, we’ll examine notable incidents where airlines fell victim to cyberattacks, discover what connects all those cases, and outline the key steps towards strengthening cybersecurity in the aviation sector.

A Closer Look at Major Aviation Security Incidents

The latest cybersecurity breaches experienced by major airline companies have raised an important question: are these isolated incidents, or do they hint at a deeper, systemic vulnerability? Further, we’ll break down the most remarkable cases to sort it out and find the common root cause.

Air India Data Breach in March 2021

Flagship airline company of India was impacted by a massive data breach caused by a security flaw in their Passenger Service Provider, SITA. Attackers exploited vulnerabilities in SITA’s centralized storing systems, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, including names, passport numbers, ticket information, and frequent flyer data of 4.5 million passengers.

The breach raised concerns about the security of the Air India data held by third-party providers and brought attention to the need for stronger security measures. Airlines that follow the same PSS framework also faced increased scrutiny from regulators.

EasyJet Data Leakage in May 2020

EasyJet disclosed a breach affecting 9 million customers, with hackers gaining access to travel details and email addresses. While the airline described the attack as “highly sophisticated,” breaches of this nature often exploit API vulnerabilities, outdated software, or insufficient monitoring of external systems.

EasyJet faced legal challenges and regulatory investigations, along with costs related to incident response and enhanced cybersecurity measures. The breach also highlighted the vulnerabilities related to integrating APIs with third-party systems.

Cathay Pacific Data Breach in October 2018

This incident caused lingering effects that went unnoticed for four years straight. Cathay Pacific experienced a prolonged breach, with attackers exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in legacy systems and inadequate network segmentation to access data. For several years, attackers collected the personal details of 9.4 million passengers, including names, nationalities, travel histories, and passport numbers.

The airline company faced significant fines and reputational damage. The incident also led to greater scrutiny of legacy systems and prompted many airlines to accelerate digital transformation efforts.

British Airways Magecart Attack in August 2018

British Airways became a victim of the Magecart attack, a type of web skimming attack where malicious JavaScript code was injected into its website and mobile app. The attackers exploited outdated third-party libraries embedded in BA’s online payment page. This allowed them to skim personal and payment card data from transactions made by over 380,000 customers.

The attack resulted in a £20 million GDPR fine, customer distrust, and a surge in calls for better protection of online payment systems. British Airways had to overhaul its security protocols significantly.

Shared Vulnerability Pattern

Airline companies tend to face challenges with maintaining fully up-to-date software systems. Over the years, their IT infrastructures have grown increasingly complex, incorporating a variety of third-party components. While the external components have enabled airlines to expand their services, this layered complexity can sometimes delay timely updates and patches.

Hence, continuous reliance on legacy unpatched systems significantly increases exposure to cyber threats. Based on the cases above, we see that attackers frequently exploit breaches in outdated systems or third-party libraries, leading to financial losses and damaged reputations. In the next section, we’ll share actionable suggestions on how to strengthen your cybersecurity and prevent such breaches in the future.

SAST, SCA & SBOMs as an Integral Part of Airlines’ Security for Years Ahead

When the IT ecosystem actively grows while some dependencies remain outdated, new vulnerabilities gradually emerge within components and become potential targets for cyberattacks. This scenario highlights the need for continuous software maintenance and proactive security practices to ensure these complex systems remain resilient against modern threats.

A comprehensive understanding of your ecosystem is the cornerstone of robust cybersecurity. Proper protection starts by knowing every facet of your IT environment and its vulnerabilities so you can preempt breaches and respond swiftly to emerging threats. Drawing on proven security strategies from the airline industry, we’ve refined a set of best practices that will help you both maintain and proactively strengthen your cybersecurity:

• Establishment of secure coding principles and adoption of Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools: this approach will help you identify vulnerabilities in source code early in the development phase, thus reducing risks and costs compared to fixing issues after deployment.
• Regular audit and update of external dependencies using Software Composition Analysis (SCA): an important step that will help you maintain a secure software ecosystem and reduce the risks associated with the use of outdated or untrusted components.
• Implementation of Vendor Management Policies with a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) as an obligatory requirement: this way, you will have detailed inventories of all software components and third-party dependencies used in third-party applications to swiftly resolve any growing concerns.

As the outdated dependencies pave the way for emerging security breaches, addressing these risks requires a proactive, comprehensive security strategy. Leveraging SAST, SCA, and SBOM best practices allows organizations to continuously identify and remediate potential threats, keeping critical systems robust against evolving cyberattacks.

Key Takeaways

In an industry where software drives nearly every operation, true cybersecurity begins with a deep understanding of your IT ecosystem. High-profile breaches remind us that outdated systems and overlooked dependencies can open the door to severe risks. By focusing on truly knowing your system, you lay the groundwork for proactive security measures that stop vulnerabilities before they become threats.

As a part of our DevSecOps services, we leverage SBOMs, SAST & SCA practices with advanced scanning and analysis tools to provide that critical insight. If you need help with strengthening your cybersecurity – contact us, and our team will support you with assessment and actionable recommendations for eliminating vulnerabilities and building a robust security posture for years ahead.

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