PREPARING CYBER-READY PILOTS AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
The aviation industry’s reliance on technology introduces new cyber threats.
Can Crews and Controllers Handle the Added Cyber Defense Workload? Pilots want to be aware and in control of cyber incidents, especially those attacks targeting avionics and other critical systems. However, tension arises from the industry’s opinion that cybersecurity tasks increase the workload for pilots and controllers. Our continuing research in experimenting with pilots and air traffic controllers in lab settings promises invaluable insights into understanding crew tactics, techniques, procedures and human factors involved. We anticipate future research will contribute to the development of effective cybersecurity measures, crew training programs and regulatory frameworks.
A resilient approach to protecting the aviation ecosystem against cyberattacks means the human element should be considered a defense layer. To study the impact of cyberattacks on pilots and air traffic controllers and prepare them to be cyber ready, the CIS department has conducted interdisciplinary research projects involving controlled flight and airspace simulations.
What Happens When Crews or Controllers Face Operational Cyberattacks?
In our flight simulators and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Lab, we create realistic cyber threat scenarios to assess how cyberattacks impact pilots and air traffic controllers. We analyze how the resulting stress can affect decision making and coordination. Understanding these human factors is crucial for developing effective responses to cyber threats. Our experiments provide insights for strengthening overall cyber resilience. For example, they help develop realistic scenarios of simulated cyberattacks that train pilots and controllers to better detect, respond to and recover from real- world incidents.
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