There is a quiet moment before every flight when trust fills the cabin. Travelers, pilots, and operators expect navigation and communications to work without surprise. Recent trends make that trust harder to take for granted.
Cybersecurity incidents in the aviation industry rose 74% since 2020. That shift puts avionics and aircraft systems squarely in the crosshairs, from airlines to business aviation. Experts warn that passengers and principals face targeted attacks such as ransomware, espionage, and identity theft.
The FAA and Embry‑Riddle are moving beyond theory: FAA CSDS and CARS train machine learning on virtual aircraft data. New rulemaking lets the registry withhold PII, and pilots remain central to responses during flight.
This article outlines concrete programs, real risks like gps spoofing, and practical steps operators can take to protect safety, data, and continuity across the industry.
Key Takeaways
- Cyber incidents climbed 74% since 2020, raising urgent security priorities.
- Avionics and aircraft systems are prime targets for targeted attacks.
- FAA CSDS and Embry‑Riddle CARS are training practical defenses with virtual data.
- Protecting pilots, operators, and aircraft passengers requires better information governance.
- Detecting spoofing and other threats earlier helps crews act before damage spreads.
Rising digital threats are reshaping flight safety in the United States
Digital interference is shifting the baseline for U.S. flight safety and operational planning. A 74% rise in aviation cybersecurity incidents since 2020 and a reported 400% jump in gps spoofing this year signal a durable change to risk models.
Skyrocketing attacks and rising spoofing
OpsGroup estimates roughly 900 flights per day face potential GPS interference. That volume creates frequent, distributed stress on navigation and decision-making during flight.
Why business aviation is a high‑value target
Principals, crews, and passengers on business flights carry sensitive data and access. Cybercriminals target these flights for leverage and monetizable information, increasing exposure for operators and passengers.
From GNSS interference to ADS‑B and TCAS spoofing
Experts note attempts to probe onboard networks and spoof avionics inputs—ADS‑B, TCAS, and GPS signals can mislead aircraft systems and crews.
“While there are no confirmed remote alterations of onboard digital information, probing attempts are rising.”
- Operational impact: navigation anomalies, information loss, and higher pilot workload during critical phases.
- Practical steps: cross‑check sensors, brief crews on gps anomalies, and keep alternate navaids ready.
For further context and ongoing reporting, read this industry briefing.
AI Use Case – Cyber-Protection of Avionics Systems moves from concept to deployment
Virtual aircraft trials are accelerating deployment of anomaly detection across flight operations.
FAA CSDS and Embry‑Riddle CARS: virtual aircraft data to train models for resilient systems
The FAA’s CSDS extended its contract with Embry‑Riddle’s CARS so teams can train models on simulated aircraft behavior. This preserves live platforms while letting researchers replay attack chains and tune detection thresholds.
Virtualized testbeds speed safe experimentation: they let engineers validate responses and reduce false alerts before deployment. Models learn to spot subtle gps anomalies, ADS‑B injection, and lateral movement across onboard networks.
Building common aviation cybersecurity standards with FAA, AIA, A4A, ARINC, and RTCA
Standards work is underway to align manufacturers, airlines, and operators. FAA, AIA, A4A, ARINC, and RTCA aim to codify practices that support certification and consistent updates to avionics.
“Pooling data and governance across FAA, DoD, DHS, academia, and industry strengthens integrity and shortens detection times.”
- Resilient systems validated in virtual testbeds reduce risk to aircraft systems.
- Common guidance helps business aviation and airlines align training, tooling, and operations.
- Early governance focuses on data quality, explainability, and actionable alerts for crews.
Business aviation, ransomware, and data integrity: a U.S. policy and operations snapshot
Ransomware has moved from headline risk to an operational reality for many U.S. aviation teams. Bridewell research shows 55% of civil aviation cybersecurity leaders saw ransomware in the past year. That rate signals real pressure on airlines and business aviation companies.
Budgets are shifting: 72% plan higher IT and avionics protections. Nearly all decision-makers already deploy analytics tools, helping spot attacks earlier and protect information flows.
Ransomware attacks on the rise and FAA registry PII changes
FAA docket FAA‑2025‑0638 would withhold PII from the Aircraft Registry to cut targeting and reduce exposure for aircraft passengers and operators. NBAA supports the move; it links policy to operational security.
- Prioritize restores and segmentation: test backups and isolate connectivity paths to limit blast radius.
- Align governance: coordinate company IT, flight dispatch, and crew guidelines to reduce inadvertent information leaks.
- Train personnel: phishing and credential theft remain top vectors used by cybercriminals.
Policy changes and practical measures together strengthen integrity and continuity across the industry. For guidance on safe analytic deployment, see this best practices guide.
Inside the cockpit: deterministic AI, human decision-making, and avionics cybersecurity
Deterministic logic in avionics is designed to streamline tasks while keeping pilots firmly in command. Honeywell Anthem’s PilotPredict anticipates entries and surfaces the right fields to cut heads‑down time during high workload on flight deck.
Honeywell Anthem and PilotPredict
PilotPredict offers explainable recommendations: predictable outputs, clear modes, and audit trails. These features speed performance calculations, dynamic rerouting, and maintenance scheduling driven by streamed data.
Human-in-the-loop: balancing automation with crews
Pilots remain the final arbiter. Automation reduces routine work, while crews retain authority for critical decisions. Clear feedback and simple annunciations build trust and lower cognitive load when gps anomalies or spoofing appear.
DO‑326B architectures, connectivity gateways, and best practices
DO‑326B‑aligned gateways create defense‑in‑depth. Secured connectivity preserves data integrity and supports resilient systems under contested network conditions. Operators should codify briefings, ATC checklists, and degraded‑nav playbooks.
| Feature | What it does | Operational benefit |
|---|---|---|
| PilotPredict | Anticipates pilot inputs; deterministic outputs | Less heads‑down time; faster decision cycles |
| DO‑326B Gateway | Secures aircraft connectivity paths | Protects data and reduces attack surface |
| Maintenance Scheduling | Streamed health data to planners | Fewer surprises; optimized engine checks |
| Design Principles | Clear modes, auditability, graceful degradation | Lower confusion; stronger safety margins |
Conclusion
Today’s aviation landscape demands defenses that are both transparent and mission-focused. The 74% rise in incidents and roughly 900 flights per day facing GPS interference underline a clear rise in threats to flight safety.
Practical steps matter: virtual aircraft training, deterministic tools like Honeywell’s pilot aids, and DO‑326B‑aligned gateways tighten security for aircraft and avionics while keeping the pilot central. Standards work across FAA, AIA, A4A, ARINC, and RTCA helps operators adopt consistent practices.
Policy changes and steady testing close gaps. With FAA docket moves to shield PII and broader defenses versus ransomware, companies and airlines reduce leverage for cybercriminals and protect passengers and business operations.
The path forward blends expert insight, disciplined operations, and human-centered design. Organizations should institutionalize lessons, test incident response across operations, and keep improving security so crews and passengers fly with confidence under changing skies.
FAQ
What trends are driving the rise in digital threats to U.S. flight safety?
Threat actors have expanded capabilities and motives, leading to a marked increase in attacks on aviation data and navigation. Since 2020 the sector has seen sharp rises in incidents such as GPS/GNSS interference and ADS‑B spoofing. Greater connectivity, more software-defined avionics, and expanded ground-to-air data links create more entry points for criminals and state actors, elevating risk to operators, crews, and passengers.
Why are business aviation operators and their passengers considered high-value targets?
Business aviation carries sensitive schedules, passenger identities, and corporate data. That information can be lucrative for ransomware groups, corporate espionage, or physical threat actors. Smaller fleets and charter operators may lack the mature security programs of major airlines, making them attractive targets for intrusion and data theft.
How do GPS spoofing and ADS‑B/TCAS interference affect flight operations?
Spoofing can distort position and timing data, undermining navigation and situational awareness. ADS‑B or TCAS manipulation can create false traffic or hide real traffic, confusing crews and automated systems. Those disruptions force crews and ATC to rely on backup procedures and can increase workload and safety risk during critical flight phases.
What role do FAA initiatives and research like CSDS and CARS play in improving resilience?
Programs such as the FAA’s CSDS and research from institutions like Embry‑Riddle provide high‑fidelity virtual aircraft data and testbeds. That data trains deterministic machine learning models and validates mitigations, enabling resilient architectures that can detect anomalies, isolate faults, and preserve flight integrity without compromising safety.
Are there emerging standards to harmonize aviation cybersecurity across the industry?
Yes. Industry groups and regulators — including the FAA, AIA, A4A, ARINC, and RTCA — are collaborating to align requirements, threat models, and best practices. Frameworks such as DO‑326B‑aligned architectures guide secure design, while consensus standards promote interoperability for gateways, sensors, and maintenance systems.
How can operators reduce ransomware risk and protect registry information?
Operators should maintain robust backups, segment networks, enforce multi‑factor authentication, and employ timely patching. The FAA’s effort to remove or shield personally identifiable information from public registries is a complementary policy action to limit exposure of passenger and owner data that attackers could exploit.
How does deterministic machine learning support cockpit decision‑making without replacing pilots?
Deterministic approaches provide predictable, explainable outputs that assist crew decision‑making. Systems like Honeywell’s PilotPredict aim to reduce routine workload while keeping humans in the loop. The goal is to augment situational awareness and automate repetitive tasks, not to supplant pilot authority or judgment.
What best practices balance automation, ATC coordination, and human oversight?
Best practices include clear human‑machine interface design, validated automation behavior under degraded conditions, continuous crew training on failure modes, and procedures ensuring ATC coordination when automated alerts affect separation or routing. Regular exercises and realistic simulators help crews practice transitions between automated and manual control.
Which technical controls improve data integrity across avionics and maintenance systems?
Controls include cryptographic signing of software and messages, secure boot, attestation for connected modules, end‑to‑end encryption for telemetry, and gateway filtering between onboard buses and external networks. Combined with robust change management and supply‑chain verification, these measures harden systems against tampering.
How should operators approach workforce readiness and training for cyber threats?
Organizations should adopt role‑based training that covers threat recognition, incident response, and recovery procedures. Cross‑functional drills with maintenance, flight crews, and IT build shared understanding. Investing in cyber hygiene and targeted simulations reduces reaction time and improves coordination during real incidents.
What is the business case for investing in resilient avionics and cybersecurity?
Investments reduce operational disruption, protect passenger safety and data privacy, and limit financial and reputational harm from breaches or ransomware. Resilient systems also enable continued operations under degraded conditions, preserving revenue and service continuity—critical benefits for business aviation operators and airlines alike.
How does connectivity to ground networks change maintenance and scheduling practices?
Increased connectivity enables predictive maintenance and real‑time telemetry, improving scheduling and reducing unscheduled downtime. However, it also requires stricter network segmentation, authenticated update channels, and validation of remote diagnostics to prevent malicious commands or corrupted maintenance data from affecting aircraft safety.
