GAO Report: Air Traffic Control System Not Safe from Hackers
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Stockbyte/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — As you pack a bag for your next business trip or vacation, the security of the air traffic control system is probably the last thing you think about. But a new report from federal inspectors finds serious deficiencies that could compromise the safety of the flying public.
The 46-page report from the Government Accountability Office states that the Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t done enough to ensure the security of the air traffic control infrastructure.
“While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken steps to protect its air traffic control systems from cyber-based and other threats, significant security control weaknesses remain, threatening the agency’s ability to ensure the safe and uninterrupted operation of the national airspace system (NAS),” it states.
“These include weaknesses in controls intended to prevent, limit, and detect unauthorized access to computer resources, such as controls for protecting system boundaries, identifying and authenticating users, authorizing users to access systems, encrypting sensitive data, and auditing and monitoring activity on FAA’s systems,” the report continues.
The GAO lists 14 recommendations to reduce the risks to the security of the airspace system. Transportation officials say they are aware of the weaknesses but have been taking steps to improve security. They add that they will implement all of the recommendations in the GAO report.
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