UAE’s GCAA calls for global framework on cyber threats

Dubai

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has called on the United Nation’s aviation agency to set up a global framework to address cyber threats.

In a statement on Monday, the GCAA said the International Civil Aviation OrganiSation (ICAO) should establish the framework for civil aviation stakeholders.

A UAE delegation led by Minister of Economy and Chairman of the GCAA, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, is currently attending ICAO’s 39th Triennial Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

The GCAA’s statement also said “at the state level it is important for aviation security authorities to develop and provide regulatory oversight to deal with cyber threats.”

“Given that modern ICT systems have put the civil aviation sector at particular risk of cyber attack, we were keen to bring this proposal before the ICAO Assembly,” GCAA director general Saif Mohammad Al Suwaidi said in the statement.

“Cyber attacks are more likely to be successful in any sector whose component parts are highly interdependent, and because the cyber-defence mechanisms currently possessed by the civil aviation sector are not yet adequate to deal with this rapidly evolving threat we felt obligated to raise this important topic with all of ICAO’s members.”

The GCAA has also suggested that individual stakeholders establish their own set of policies to protect themselves against cyber threats,

“This would include the development of early detection mechanisms to allow for a rapid response to threats. Additionally, the proposal highlighted the need for the sharing of information and best practices amongst agencies on civil aviation security,” the statement said.