Airborne Network Security and Information Assurance

The global air traffic system relies on the ability to communicate reliably. Currently air traffic controllers and pilots verbally resolve potential conflicts, and emerging data links are expected to enable pilots and flight management systems maintain accurate real-time traffic, weather, and navigation data. Such network-enabled operations are intended to maximize capacity, safety, and efficiency, along with agility, security, and economy. A central question is how to ensure communicated information is persistently available, correct, and secure. This chapter describe the current air traffic management infrastructure as well as anticipated upgrades to a secure network-centric information management system that will enable air and ground entities to more efficiently communicate. Such a standardized data link is intended to improve data security, assurance, and throughput for traditional airspace operations as well as for emerging unmanned surveillance platforms. Keywords: air traffic management; air traffic control; data link; aviation information security; airborne networks; network-centric operations; NextGen; service oriented architecture; SWIM