Cybersecurity for Flight Deck Data Exchange

Recent flight deck advancements include rapidly expanding applications for Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), high-bandwidth air-ground data links using Internet Protocols (IP), and the introduction of Aircraft Interface Devices (AIDs) that connect legacy avionics busses, EFBs, and the IP communication links. These advances allow the flight deck to participate in system-wide information sharing and enable pilots to more fully and collaboratively participate in air traffic management decision making. However, the introduction of these connected aircraft systems potentially expose the applications and networks on board the aircraft to a variety of new cybersecurity threats. This paper reviews a generic networked aircraft architecture that uses the EFB, AID & IP Data Links to implement two sample applications and performs a qualitative cybersecurity analysis on the resulting system. The cybersecurity analysis assumes typical aviation security measures are in place and is used to identify any residual risks and makes recommendations for additional security measures where required.