Cyber security - Joint effort reqired -Curt Lewis

US, Europe spar over airplane cybersecurity

The U.S. and European aviation industries are at odds over the best way to guard against the increasing threat of potential cyberattacks, The Wall Street Journal reports.

At issue is the best approach to beef up security standards for onboard aircraft technology, as well as the level of testing needed to ensure the integrity of those systems.

Absent a quick resolution, officials are concerned that U.S. companies could struggle to sell avionics and other flight management systems to European companies.

The airline industry has faced an onslaught of digital intrusions in recent months. Hackers have infiltrated the U.S. air traffic control system, forced airlines to ground planes and potentially stolen detailed travel records on millions of people.

But the U.S. industry lacks strict requirements to report these incidents or adhere to specific cybersecurity standards.

Those close to the dispute told the Journal that the issue stems from a disagreement over the scope of potential regulations. The European Aviation Safety Agency wants to subject all airplanes, regardless of size, to essentially the same cybersecurity standards.