JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli government approved a civil aviation cybersecurity program, the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) reported on Sunday.
As part of the plan, a national steering committee will be established, to advance Israel's capabilities in this field.
The committee, headed by the INCD, will have representatives from Israel's Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority, Israel's Airports Authority, the Israeli Security Agency, the Ministry of Defense, National Security Council and the Israel Defense Forces.
According to the INCD, the civil aviation sector has high technological complexity.
Thus, technological innovations and digital processes in aircraft, airport systems, control towers and air control, as well as self security check systems and aircraft entertainment systems, have created new cyber challenges.
This is in addition to the expected increase to 7.8 billion passengers worldwide by 2036.
Therefore, these developments require state preparation in advance of appropriate cyber protection of the field.
The program includes threat mapping and solution projects, advancing research and development for defense solutions in the hi-tech and cyber industry and academia, collaboration with the Boeing aircraft manufacturer, establishing transport control center, developing training courses for pilots and more.
According to the Director-General of the INCD, Yigal Unna, "The target of the program is to lead the world in better cyber defense on aviation. Israel is strong in the field of aviation safety and security and in cybersecurity, and these two strengths will now be combined.
