Cybersecurity Services and Solutions for Airlines: Protecting Data, Operations & Passenger Trust

Airlines - Ensuring Aircraft Cyber Resilience from the Ground to the Air

In 2024, cybersecurity for airlines is more crucial than ever, with a marked increase in cyber threats targeting the aviation sector. Airlines, especially, are vulnerable, with 76% of aviation-related attacks in 2022 focused on airlines, and 29% of all ransomware incidents affecting this sector. Cyber attacks, including fraudulent websites, phishing schemes, and ransomware, result in significant financial losses, harm to brand reputation, and disrupted passenger services. At Thales, we deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity services and solutions tailored to protect airlines against the rapidly evolving digital threat landscape, ensuring the security, resilience, and seamless continuity of critical aviation operations.

76% of all 2022 aviation-related cyber attacks targeted airlines
46% of the total attack types in 2022 were fraudulent websites
29% of all ransomware attacks targeted airlines in 2022

@2023 EATM – CERT 2023 report

Key Cybersecurity Challenges Facing Airlines in the Digital Age

Business Continuity: Safeguarding Airline Operations

Business continuity is critical for airlines, as any disruption in service can lead to substantial financial losses and erosion of passenger trust. Cyberattacks like ransomware can disrupt flight systems, booking platforms, and communications, threatening operations. Airlines must implement strong cybersecurity measures, including secure backups, risk management strategies, and rapid incident response, to ensure system availability, reduce downtime, and maintain operational resilience.

Reputation & Branding: Protecting Airline Trust

In the highly competitive airline industry, reputation and branding are integral to business success. A cyberattack can severely damage an airline’s reputation, eroding customer trust and leading to legal and media fallout. Protecting the brand requires strong cybersecurity to secure sensitive data, maintain operations, and ensure transparency during crises, preserving customer loyalty and competitiveness.

Passenger Experience: Securing Digital Interactions

In the modern airline industry, cybersecurity is closely linked to enhancing the passenger experience. Passengers expect secure digital interactions throughout their journey. A data breach or hacking incident can disrupt operations and harm the user experience. Airlines must prioritize cybersecurity to protect passenger data, ensure secure transactions, and maintain seamless service, enhancing customer satisfaction and retention.

Security & Regulation Compliance: Meeting Airline Standards

Security and regulatory compliance is a critical challenge for airlines, with each region having its own cybersecurity requirements. Compliance with regulations and data protection laws is crucial to protect passenger information and avoid fines. Continuous monitoring, regular audits, and proactive incident response ensure ongoing compliance, operational security, and passenger trust.

How Thales Cybersecurity Services and Solutions Can Safeguard Your Airline’s Operations, Compliance, and Passenger Trust

Thales offers a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity through three key pillars: Cyber Consulting, Cyber Detect & Respond, and Cyber Integration.
These services work together to ensure the highest level of protection across all aspects of your airline’s

1. Thales Consulting Services to Strengthen Your Airline’s Cybersecurity Strategy

Cyber Compliance: Airline Industry Standards

In an era of increasing cyber threats, cyber compliance is critical for airlines to protect both passenger data and operational integrity. Adhering to industry-specific standards and regulations ensures that airlines are prepared for the evolving cybersecurity landscape and meet legal obligations. Non-compliance not only exposes airlines to financial penalties but also jeopardizes their reputation and trust with passengers.

To meet these standards, airlines must focus on frameworks like PART-IS and NIS2, which are specifically designed to address cybersecurity challenges in aviation and critical infrastructure.

Understanding PART-IS: Ensuring Cybersecurity Compliance for Airlines

The aviation industry faces growing cyber threats, making cybersecurity compliance a top priority. PART-IS, a framework introduced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2022, requires airlines to integrate cyber risk management into safety regulations and establish certified ISMS by 2025.

Thales offers expertise to help airlines achieve full compliance with PART-IS. Leveraging its understanding of aviation cybersecurity and regulatory standards, Thales provides tailored solutions to implement effective cyber risk management, ensuring secure operations and compliance with the 2025 deadline.

Navigating NIS2: Strengthening Cybersecurity Compliance for Airlines

The NIS2 Directive (Network and Information Systems Directive) is a key regulation set by the European Union to bolster cybersecurity across critical sectors, including aviation.

NIS2 extends cybersecurity requirements for airlines, mandating enhanced risk management, incident response, and data protection to safeguard operations and passenger data in a digital environment. As IATA's Cyber Strategic Partner, Thales provides tailored solutions to help airlines meet NIS2’s stringent standards, drawing on deep expertise in aviation cybersecurity

By leveraging Thales' expertise, airlines can achieve full compliance with NIS2, mitigate cyber risks, and ensure operational resilience, all while maintaining the highest standards of passenger data protection and regulatory compliance.

Comprehensive Cyber Governance

At Thales, we offer a full spectrum of cybersecurity solutions to strengthen your airline’s defenses and ensure operational continuity. Our services are designed to provide a holistic approach to cybersecurity, from strategy development to real-time crisis management.

Cyber Strategy Definition, Implementation and control

We collaborate with your team to develop a tailored cybersecurity strategy that meets your airline's needs and regulatory requirements. Our experts assess risks and create a roadmap to strengthen defenses, securing flight systems, passenger data, and network infrastructure. Additionally, we help implement a robust Cyber Control strategy to govern and protect critical systems.

Thales Cyber Technical Consulting for Airlines

Cyber Technical Audits: Comprehensive Security Assessments for Airlines

Our Cyber Technical Audits evaluate airline cybersecurity maturity, addressing vulnerabilities in IT (cloud, network security) and OT systems (aircraft communication and operational control). Leveraging partnerships like QTR, we assess endpoint security, identity protection, and systems handling passenger data and flight operations. This ensures regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and passenger trust against evolving cyber threats.

Ensuring Robust Cyber Resilience for Airlines

Our offensive security services simulate real-world attacks to uncover system vulnerabilities. Combining red and blue team insights with purple teaming exercises, we enhance readiness and resilience, reducing the risk of data breaches and emerging cyber threats.

Thales Cyber Training, Awareness & Experimentation

Cyber Training & Awareness: Empowering Airline Teams Against Cyber Threats

Our Cyber Training & Awareness programs offer tailored on-site, online, or hybrid formats, combining expert guidance, simulations, and practical exercises to enhance organizational preparedness. Leveraging 11 global cyber labs, we provide practical training, including custom-built Cyber Range environments that simulate real-world threats and mirror aviation-specific IT and OT systems.

2. Detect & Respond: Enhancing Your Airline’s Cybersecurity Resilience Against Threats

Thales Cyber Threat Intelligence & Internet Monitoring

Cyber Threat Intelligence: Protecting Airlines from Emerging Cyber Threats

Our Cyber Threat Intelligence service provides airlines with real-time insights into the evolving landscape of cyber risks. By analyzing global threat data and monitoring trends specific to the aviation industry, we help you proactively identify and mitigate risks that could impact your operations, from airport systems to in-flight communications. With advanced threat intelligence, we ensure your airline stays one step ahead of cyber adversaries, safeguarding critical assets and protecting passenger safety.

Digital Risk Protection Services (DRPS): Mitigating Online Threats to Airline Operations

Our Digital Risk Protection Services (DRPS) focus on identifying and mitigating online threats targeting your airline’s digital presence. By continuously monitoring the surface web, deep web, and dark web, we detect potential threats such as data leaks, brand impersonation, and targeted attacks on your online platforms. With DRPS, we provide comprehensive protection for your airline’s reputation, customer data, and online operations, ensuring that your digital footprint remains secure and your passengers’ trust is preserved.

Cyber Detection Services

Thales Managed Detection and Response (MDR) & Aero Security Operations Centers (AeroSOC): Tailored Protection for Airlines

Our 24/7 Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and AeroSOC services provide airlines with comprehensive cybersecurity, integrating IT, OT, and Aircraft Data SOC capabilities. With continuous monitoring and real-time threat intelligence, AeroSOC ensures swift incident response, operational resilience, and compliance with standards like NIS2, Part-IS, and GDPR, protecting airline reputation and passenger trust.

Thales Advanced Threat Hunting Services: Proactively Identifying and Neutralizing Hidden Cyber Threats

Our Advanced Threat Hunting Services proactively detect hidden threats using advanced tools and techniques, identifying and neutralizing risks before they impact operations. This ensures robust protection for critical assets against evolving cyber threats.

Cyber Incident Response: Services for Airline Security Crises

DFIR (Digital Forensics and Incident Response): Proactive and On-Demand Cyber Support

Our DFIR services offer airlines proactive retainers and on-demand support to handle cybersecurity incidents. Retainers ensure readiness with rapid response capabilities, while on-demand services provide immediate assistance for investigation, containment, and recovery, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuity.

Crisis Management Support and Simulation : Strategizing Airline Response During Cyber Incidents

Preparedness is crucial during a cyber crisis. We help airlines design and simulate crisis scenarios to strengthen response plans and minimize operational disruptions. Our support spans the entire incident lifecycle, from response to recovery, ensuring coordination, clear communication, and regulatory compliance.

Thales Continuous Threat Exposure Management: Proactive Defense for Airline Security

Through Risk-Based Vulnerability Management, we prioritize the most critical threats to minimize risk and reduce operational disruption. Our Continuous Threat Exposure Management services focus on securing your airline’s infrastructure by proactively identifying and addressing vulnerabilities.

3. Security Integration: Unifying Airline Cybersecurity Across Systems and Operations

Seamless Cybersecurity Integration for Scalable and Secure Operations

Our Integration Services are capitalizing on more than 100 best-ranked technologies to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of cybersecurity solutions across your airline’s infrastructure. We handle the entire lifecycle, from design and integration to deployment, ensuring that your systems are secure, scalable, and aligned with your operational needs.

Thales: Pioneering Cybersecurity Services and Leadership for the Aviation Industry

Our Dual Vision: Merging Cybersecurity and Airlines technology Expertise

At Thales, we combine our deep cybersecurity expertise with over a century of experience in aeronautics to deliver tailored, cutting-edge services and solutions for the airlines industry. This unique dual vision allows us to address the complex challenges airlines face in both digital security and operational efficiency. By integrating advanced security technologies with a thorough understanding of aircraft systems, we ensure that airlines are equipped to protect their operations, safeguard passenger data, and meet the evolving demands of the industry.

With over 8,000 aeronautical staff, 500 operators, and a presence in 30+ countries, Thales is committed to driving the aviation industry’s digital and cybersecurity transformation.
With over 6,000 cyber experts, 11 Cyber Security Operations Centers (CSOCs), 19 local centers, and specialized CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) and CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence) teams worldwide, Thales provides industry-leading cybersecurity capabilities.

Cyber for Airlines