SCADA threats in the modern airport

John McCarthy, William Mahoney

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Critical infrastructures are ubiquitous in the modern world and include electrical power systems, water, gas, and other utilities, as well as trains and transportation systems including airports. This work is concerned with Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems that are at the heart of distributed critical infrastructures within airports. Modern airports are highly competitive cost driven operations that offer a range of public and private services. Many airport systems such as car parking and building control systems are SCADA controlled. This is achieved with sensors and controllers monitored over a large, geographically disperse area. To increase efficiency and to achieve cost savings, SCADA systems are now being connected to information technology system networks using TCP/IP. The merging of SCADA systems into the main IT network backbone is presenting new security problems for IT security managers. Historically, proprietary solutions, closed systems, ad-hoc design and implementation, and long system life cycles have led to significant challenges in assessing the true security posture of SCADA systems. To address this, this work seeks how SCADA systems are being integrated into the IT network within a modern airport. From this new standpoint we will be able to identify ways in which SCADA may be vulnerable to malicious attack via the IT network. The results of this work could offer solutions to increase security within airports.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication8th International Conference on Information Warfare and Security 2013
PublisherAcademic Conferences Ltd
Pages141-146
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781627480178
StatePublished - 2013
Event8th International Conference on Information Warfare and Security, ICIW 2013 - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: Mar 25 2013Mar 26 2013

Publication series

Name8th International Conference on Information Warfare and Security, ICIW 2013

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Information Warfare and Security, ICIW 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period3/25/133/26/13

Keywords

  • Airport terminals
  • Control systems
  • Distributed security
  • SCADA

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Information Systems
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'SCADA threats in the modern airport'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this