Markey Seeks Cybersecurity, Privacy Answers From Airlines, Aircraft Makers
Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., sent letters to a dozen domestic airlines and two airplane manufacturers asking them about protections against cyberattacks on airplanes and computer systems. In the Wednesday letters, he sought answers to questions such as whether Wi-Fi capabilities…
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on their planes could be exploited by hackers to enter their systems, whether companies do cybersecurity tests to identify vulnerabilities, how airlines protect customer flight data, if the data are shared with third parties, and whether aircraft manufacturers monitor their planes for cybersecurity issues after they've been sold. Markey said technological advancements have improved aircraft navigation, communication and operational efficiency, but their increasing interconnectedness and connection to the Internet could pose problems. "As we have witnessed recently in the automobile industry, I am concerned that these technologies may also pose great threats to our security, privacy, and economy," he said in a statement. Letters were sent to Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin America, and as well as the airplane manufacturers Airbus and Boeing. Representatives from American and Delta said they received the letters, but had no comment.