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FAA Orders Boeing To
Protect 737s From Hackers
The Federal Aviation Association (FAA)
published an order last Friday in the Federal Register, an official federal
journal containing government rules and public notices, requiring Boeing to
modify the technology aboard 737 jetliners to protect the planes against
computer hackers.
Effective immediately, the order applies to
737-700, -700C, -800, -900ER, -7, -8 and -9 aircraft. These models feature a
digital systems architecture composed of several connected networks. According
to the FAA, the network configuration on these models allows increased
connectivity with external networks, such as passenger entertainment and
information services, which create possible vulnerabilities that can be
exploited by hackers.
"This may allow the exploitation of
network security vulnerabilities resulting in intentional or unintentional
destruction, disruption, degradation, or exploitation of data and systems
critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane, which could result in
unsafe conditions for the airplane and its occupants," the FAA explained
in its order.
According to the FAA, existing regulations do
not cover the types of system architectures present on these airline models.
The proposed order ensures that unauthorized sources external to the plane do
not receive access to the airplane's electronic systems.
"14 CFR regulations and current system
safety assessment policy and techniques do not address potential security
vulnerabilities that could be caused by unauthorized access to airplane data
busses and servers," the FAA's order said.
Although the order is open for public comment
until July 21, the FAA determined that public comment was unnecessary and
"would significantly affect the certification of the airplane." The
model subject to the order is the most popular plane made by The Boeing
Company. By making the rule effective immediately, the FAA hopes to avoid
slowing down design and delivery of new planes.
"The FAA has determined that notice of,
and opportunity for prior public comment on, these special conditions is
impracticable because these procedures would significantly delay issuance of
the design approval and thus delivery of the affected aircraft," the FAA
said.
Doug Alder, a Boeing spokesman, said the
special conditions laid out in the FAA order are not unusual and help to
institutionalize actions already planned by the manufacturer.
"They are a normal part of the process for
introducing new technology or design features not previously addressed by regulation,"
Alder said. "Special conditions are one way regulators and manufacturers
work together to ensure that commercial airplanes are safe and secure."
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