(Tom Croke)
If you have experienced the disruption a computer bug can cause in a small office — or even at home — you can just imagine the potential for problems should a computer virus or ill-intentioned hacker infiltrate a larger computer system — such as that of an airport.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Airports Council International-North America President David Z. Plavin have formed a partnership designed to help “protect the nation’s critical aviation infrastructure from intentional disruption of its communications and information systems.”
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Mineta said safety is President Bush’s “highest transportation priority.”
“Our nation’s transportation system is the world’s finest, providing the critical transportation services that support the nation’s unprecedented economic growth and prosperity, and we must take the steps necessary to assure that this infrastructure remains safe and secure,” said Mineta.
Plavin said that while Y2K inflicted little damage to America’s airports — it delivered a valuable primer.
“Y2K taught us just how much we in the aviation business depend on information systems every day,” said Plavin. “From airport access control systems, to baggage handling, to automated voice flight information systems, to navigational aids, airports are critically dependent on information systems for day-to-day operations, as well as safety and security. Add in reservation and ticketing systems, maintenance scheduling, and gate scheduling, and we now find these systems are indispensable to our business.”
Michael Cheston, executive director of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, likes the idea of emphasizing the protection of information systems.
“We really did learn a valuable lesson with Y2K,” he said.
The good news, said Cheston, is that the airport’s computer systems all survived Y2K. The important thing, he said, is to maintain systems.
“This year we are replacing our process control system – because it’s time to do that,” said Cheston.
Over the next few months, the Transportation Department and the ACI-NA will sponsor a series of aviation industry workshops that will help raise awareness of information-based threats and vulnerabilities — and begin to develop strategies to address those threats.
The ACI-NA will establish a transportation Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) where industry members can share security information, especially about ongoing information system attacks such as the recent “Love Bug” virus.
The ISAC will serve as a clearinghouse for receiving, analyzing and distributing critical data needed to protect information systems. The ISAC will also work closely with other modes of transportation departments, such as the rail sector and its coordinator, the Association of American Railroads.
Northwest adds flights
In other news out of T.F. Green, Northwest Airlines and its Northwest Airlink affiliate, Express Airlines I, will begin new regional jet service to Providence from its Minneapolis/St. Paul hub, effective August 13. Northwest will offer two daily nonstop flights to T.F. Green.
Those flights will complement Northwest’s existing five daily flights to T.F. Green from its hub in Detroit.
The service will feature 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets (CRJs). Recognized as the world’s quietist commercial aircraft, the CJRs feature spacious cabins with two-by-two leather seating and a full-service galley.
