An Innovative Design for Improving U.S. Airports’ Cybersecurity Based on Blockchain Technology

The use of advanced technology in aviation information systems is continuously growing. Day-to-day airport operations integrate advanced technologies and devices to achieve optimum performance, offer different services, and improve the management of IT infrastructure. However, the integration of connected systems and optimization widens the attack surface for airport cyber-physical systems. Cybersecurity incidents are on the rise, and the cost of a security breach has a catastrophic financial effect. The existing airport information systems require more robust and resilient cybersecurity solutions to secure their hardware-software, databases, wireless communication, Internet of Things (IoT), and open-source applications. The existing cybersecurity solutions are insufficient to protect against common attacks such as phishing, eavesdropping, Denial-of-Service (DoS), Man-in-the-middle (MITM), and ransomware. The proposed blockchain-powered cybersecurity will ensure the security of IT assets while allowing smooth access to stakeholders such as travelers, vendors, airlines, and employees. The application of blockchain elements will enhance the security and resiliency of airport IT systems by eliminating single points of failure, the impact of data breaches, ransomware, and unauthorized access. In addition, the study includes a risk and sustainability assessment.