Solution to provide real-time access to actionable cybersecurity threat data to protect onboard networks
CCX Technologies confirmed today, at NBAA BACE, that its SystemX™ Cybersecurity Platform (SystemX) is approved for the SmartSky Networks Skytelligence™ digital services framework. SystemX will help business aircraft operators to understand and defend against cybersecurity threats through real-time actionable data.
“As the demand for stronger cybersecurity in the aviation market continues to increase, almost on a daily basis, so does the need for onboard cybersecurity solutions that furnish aircraft operators with actionable data,” said Chris Bartlett, president of CCX Technologies. “With American and European certification authorities enforcing RTCA DO-326 and ED202, and Qatar’s recent Aviation Cyber Security Guidelines, the growing requirement to monitor and protect these onboard aviation networks is reinforcing a baseline of security — essential tools for the aviation industry. The Skytelligence digital services marketplace is an important platform, supporting aviators with a variety of data. And now, in our view, it provides a more important role with the addition of this new cybersecurity data. We are pleased that SmartkSky shares our commitment to monitoring and protecting critical onboard data.”
The SystemX Platform is a combination of software and hardware, which helps protect an aircraft’s onboard network by monitoring data transmissions between avionic systems and between the aircraft and the ground network. While monitoring the onboard network, the system collects data and provides alerts. In the same way that weather services provide real-time weather information, SystemX will provide subscribers with real-time, actionable cybersecurity data. Amalgamated, anonymized data will offer a broad view of cybersecurity threats on flight routes and highlight potential vulnerabilities on a subscriber’s own aircraft. Once implemented users will gain access to big-picture data plus important statistics such as the number of alerts by route, how many alerts are under investigation and resolved, aircraft and network types, among others.
“Cybersecurity is a critical concern for everyone in the aviation industry, and collaborating with our partners to address the ever-evolving number of threats is important to SmartSky,” said Britton Wanick, VP of Digital Solutions at SmartSky Networks. “SystemX is a significant addition to our Skytelligence platform, and we look forward to working with CCX to fulfill the need for cybersecurity solutions for aviation.”
About SystemX Cyber Security Platform
SystemX includes both hardware and software elements to monitor, defend and protect the aircraft’s onboard network. The AP-250 Inline Cybersecurity Appliance, already available today, is a compact and powerful device, and unique because it is installed right on the aircraft. SystemX Cybersecurity Software powers the AP-250 and can be implemented on third party hardware, to guard and improve the cybersecurity posture of onboard aircraft networks. A flexible solution, SystemX is designed to operate over bandwidth- and latency- restrictive communications links such as satellite, and terrestrial radio. Along with monitoring and alerts, SystemX collects and aggregates data for presentation to users. The system can be configured via remote access, and it has advanced IDS and IPS (Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems), as well as firewall capabilities
About SmartSky Networks
SmartSky Networks, based in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, was formed in 2011 by senior telecommunications and aviation executives seeking to transform aviation through disruptive communications technologies and related tools. Working with leading aerospace and technology partners, SmartSky is rolling out its innovative air-to-ground network. The network takes advantage of patented spectrum reuse, advanced beamforming technologies and 60 MHz of spectrum for significantly enhanced connectivity. SmartSky’s network uniquely enables a productive experience in the air similar to on the ground, including unmatched capacity for data transmissions both to and from the aircraft. This real-time, low latency, bidirectional data link makes SmartSky the best in-flight user experience, and a key enabler for the new and enhanced apps, services, and hardware.
About CCX Technologies
At CCX Technologies we design and develop a wide range of solutions for avionics OEMs, and aircraft maintainers, including aircraft radio test, airborne networking solutions, and a suite of cyber defence and cybersecurity applications. Our T-RX™ product line streamlines onboard radio system testing, saving time and money. Leading avionics OEMs trust SystemX™, our innovative applications suite, to secure and defend their customer’s airborne networks. Based in Ottawa, Canada, we’ve grown exponentially in the last year. Visit ccxtechnologies.com to learn more.