Evaluating the impact of NextGen's air traffic system on aviation security

Abstract

Networked Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) opened the gate to digital National Airspace System (NAS) in cyberspace. Air traffic improvements from NextGen system, accompanied by the risk of long-standing cyberattack issue in information technology industry became an increasingly challenging matter to the aviation community and Air Traffic Management (ATM), as cybersecurity challenges in the NextGen system could affect NextGen's principle assurance of safety and security in air transportation. The technological shift of NAS infrastructure from traditional radar-based systems to networking system of systems leads to a review, revision and redefinition of current policies, standards regelations, cultures and norm to reflect and mitigate new risks. Through analysing reports, regulations, standards, practices, recommendations from government and industry, the researchers analyse security impacts to NextGen; the risk of a cybersecurity incidents; and regulations to identify most effective and efficient control measures over information systems in ATM, and direction to further research.