Connectivity March18.qxp_Layout 1 20/02/2018 14:23 Page 2
Dave Higdon is a highly respected aviation journalist who has covered all aspects of civil aviation over the past 36 years. Based in Wichita, he has several thousand flight hours, and has piloted pretty much everything from foot-launched wings to combat jets. Contact him via Dave@avbuyer.com
What are the best-practices for securing your aircraft cabin connectivity? Are you doing all you can to deter hackers? Dave Higdon seeks out advice from the industry…
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fence provides a measure of security against casual encroachments of a property. An alarm system dissuades the more active intruder. In the world of digital software and hardware, digital firewalls provide protection from potential usurpers. As aviation grows ever deeper into the realm of computers, aircraft need protections that are common in the computer; walls that are created to protect sensitive hardware and software from digital invasion. Hardware firewalls, software firewalls, and other protective measures exist to wall-off the sensitive areas from the dangers of uninvited incursions. Yet in today's wireless age Business Aviation operators sometimes fail to fully tend to their walls, making their on-board internet systems open to encroachment. Some once held the belief that flying at high speeds with miles of separation from the ground somehow insulated their digital systems from the threat of digital invasion. But, as proven on multiple occasions recently, neither near-Mach flying speeds or 10 miles of altitude provide reliable protection from a dedicated hacker. The best defenses against external threats to aircraft in-flight connectivity comes in the form of a strong offense; utilization of the best-practices for self-protection measures in and around your aircraft’s in-flight internet and entertainment systems. Following is some industry advice…
Security: Only as Good as Your Use Habits
In reality, no system guarantees complete protection against the creative hacker, noted Brian Wilson, Director, Key Accounts, with Gogo Business Aviation, a leading provider of in-flight connectivity solutions and services. “We receive many inquiries Advertising Enquiries see Page 4
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March 2018 – AVBUYER MAGAZINE
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