Cyber attack on Indian airports? Govt explains the scary threat that disrupted 400 flights last month

Economic Times
Economic Times
1w ago • 15 views
Indian airports faced GPS spoofing threats last month, affecting 400 flights. The government assured that safety measures kept operations unaffected.
Cyber attack on Indian airports? Govt explains the scary threat that disrupted 400 flights last month
A What happened
Last month, several major Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, detected GPS spoofing signals, raising concerns about flight safety. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addressed these concerns in the Rajya Sabha, assuring that flight operations remained unaffected. He explained that GPS spoofing involves feeding false navigation data to aircraft, which can mislead pilots. However, conventional navigation systems were active, allowing flights to continue safely. Reports of similar interference also came from airports in Kolkata, Amritsar, and Chennai. In response to these threats, the Airports Authority of India is enhancing cybersecurity measures in line with national guidelines. This incident follows a recent disruption at Delhi airport, where over 400 flights were delayed due to a technical issue with the Air Traffic Control system.

Key insights

  • 1

    GPS Spoofing Explained: GPS spoofing tricks aircraft into receiving false navigation data.

  • 2

    Safety Measures Effective: Conventional navigation systems ensured flight safety during the incident.

  • 3

    Cybersecurity Enhancements: Advanced cybersecurity measures are being implemented for aviation networks.

Takeaways

The government has taken steps to ensure the safety of flight operations amid rising cybersecurity threats, emphasizing the importance of robust navigation systems and cybersecurity measures.

Topics

Technology & Innovation Cybersecurity Health & Medicine Public Health