Satcom Direct has developed an aviation cyber threat awareness course for flight departments, aircrews, operators, and passengers aimed at changing digital behavior and device handling to minimize cybersecurity risk. It is available for enrollment on Satcom Direct’s website.
According to the company, the self-paced course offers instruction on best practices for implementing data security compliance, identifying common hacking and attack methodology, and how to recognize, and mitigate inherent vulnerabilities on the ground or in the air. It also explores the importance of protecting data during international travel and is supported by information about the use of personal digital devices before, during, and after a flight.
“The threat of cyber events continues to escalate in business aviation,” said John Kummer, Satcom Direct's senior v-p of strategy and programs. “It is not a matter of if a cyber event will occur, but when, so we wanted to provide our customers with an accessible course that supports cyber threat prevention from an aviation user and facilitator, rather than purely technological, perspective.”
Kummer added that there is a “rise of increasingly sophisticated bad actors” who are a “clear and present danger” to flight departments, corporate fleets, and business aviation stakeholders. “This course helps to clarify weak points, whether they be technical or human-behavior related, and provides solutions that will strengthen data practices,” he said.