Aviation and Cyber Threats: TOP Hacker Attacks on Airports and Aircraft
![Aviation and Cyber Threats: TOP Hacker Attacks on Airports and Aircraft]({"desctop":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5-998x499.jpg","desctop2x":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5-1996x998.jpg","tablet":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5-1150x575.jpg","tablet2x":"assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5.jpg","mobile":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5-740x370.jpg","mobile2x":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-1-5-1478x739.jpg"})
The aviation industry is one of the most technologically advanced and critically important sectors, heavily influenced by digitalization and the integration of complex information systems. At the same time, this increases its vulnerability to cyber threats: criminals constantly seek new ways to breach security, which can have catastrophic consequences.
Between 2010 and 2024, the share of breaches in global airport systems caused by hacks or data leaks rose from 4% to 81%.
Here are the most high-profile cases:
1. Rhysida ransomware attack on Port of Seattle
In August 2024, the Port of Seattle, which operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, suffered a cyberattack involving the Rhysida ransomware. The attack caused multi-day disruptions to reservation systems, information displays, and check-in services, resulting in flight delays and passenger inconvenience. Hackers gained access to the personal data of approximately 90,000 individuals. The Port of Seattle refused to pay the ransom and notified the affected individuals about the data breach.
2. DDoS attack on Milan airports
In December 2024, the hacker group NoName057(16) launched a DDoS attack on the websites of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Milan's airports – Malpensa and Linate. The attack temporarily took the websites offline, although flights were not cancelled. Later, Italy's National Cybersecurity Agency reported that the attacks were part of a broader campaign against key government institutions.![Cockpit with digital instruments, displaying a central screen message: “FLIGHT SYSTEM COMPROMISED!”]({"desctop":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4-998x666.jpg","desctop2x":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4-1976x1318.jpg","tablet":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4-1050x700.jpg","tablet2x":"assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4.jpg","mobile":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4-740x494.jpg","mobile2x":"assets\/images\/cache\/assets\/images\/discovery\/ds-13-2-4-1478x986.jpg"})
3. Delta Air Lines system failure due to CrowdStrike update
On July 19, 2024, Delta Air Lines cancelled approximately 7,000 flights due to a global outage caused by a faulty update to Falcon antivirus software by CrowdStrike. The failure affected over 8 million Windows-based computers, including Delta’s critical systems such as crew scheduling and baggage handling. As a result, the airline suffered losses of around $500 million.
4. Attack on Indonesia's national data center
In June 2024, Indonesia’s national data center was hit by a LockBit 3.0 ransomware attack, which encrypted systems and disrupted immigration services at airports and other government functions. Hackers demanded a ransom of $8 million, but the Indonesian government refused to pay.
Given the rising frequency and sophistication of such attacks, strengthening cybersecurity measures in aviation infrastructure is especially critical in the face of modern digital threats.
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