A constant supervision system installed at all airports and flight control centres and on airlines would help ensure security for Viet Nam’s aviation industry, experts have said.

Last week, two 15-year-old hackers attacked websites at Tan Son Nhat, Tuy Hoa, Rach Gia and Pha Quoc airports.

The country’s aviation industry has three independent information systems used by Vietnam Airlines, airports and flight control centres, but they all work independently of each other.

After a number of attacks on aviation networks, managers are now more aware that investment in one security system is not enough.

Security systems need to be constantly updated, monitored and protected because harmful viruses can develop at a high speed and enter the system in many ways.

Vietnam Airlines has hired a professional network security partner to support them in protecting its system.

However, Tan Son Nhat, Tuy Hoa, Phu Quoc and Rach Gia Airports have yet to recognise the role of a serious system protection system.

According to analysts at the information security company CMC Infosec, the websites of these airports have many weak points for hackers to attack.

“These websites are managed by airports and only provide information. The attack didn’t affect the entire system too much,” a CMC Infosec expert said.

However, information changed by hackers on a website providing useful information like flight schedules and weather conditions would affect users of the site.

The CMC Infosec expert warned that big companies and organisations in Viet Nam should not use share hosting services.

“They should hire separate servers or send their servers to well-respected hosting companies,” he added.

In addition, such companies and organisations should hire outsourcing services for attack evaluation by approved companies before launching their websites.

“Such attacks like that in Viet Nam will threaten flight security and make passengers nervous,” Diana Kelley, an expert with IBM Global Network Security Consultancy, said.

“Airlines and airports must strengthen their network security,” she added.

An IBM Security representative warned that all airlines and airports should review the entire system’s network security, especially for airplanes and flight security, rather than just focusing on the ground system. 

VNS