Cyber Resilience in Airport Operations: Addressing Emerging Threats in a Data-Driven Environment

Reliance on cyber infrastructure in airport operations can introduce significant vulnerabilities in the face of evolving and unpredictable cyber threats. Airports serve as critical nodes in global transportation networks, hosting several stakeholders that depend on interconnected digital systems for air traffic management, passenger processing, security operations, and logistics. The rapid expansion of initiatives such as the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s (DFW) Data360 program highlights the essential need for robust and resilient frameworks. These frameworks should address immediate cybersecurity challenges and incorporate mechanisms for anticipation, absorption, recovery, and adaptation to ensure operational continuity. As airports encounter an expanding attack surface, they must recognize the importance of integrating cyber resilience into their operational strategies. This includes the need for improved staffing, effective detection and response capabilities, and coordination among stakeholders to build a comprehensive defense against evolving threats. Regulatory compliance further complicates these efforts, as airports must protect sensitive information while adhering to various legal obligations. Research is needed to develop strategies and frameworks that will help airports prepare for, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks while ensuring operational continuity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide that enables airports to evaluate their cyber resiliency, assess their current posture relative to industry’s best practices and evolving cyber threats, and strengthen their defenses providing actionable strategies for improvement.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5948
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $400,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 03-81

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)

  Transportation Research Board, 500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Picciano, Tara

• Start Date: 20260518
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport operations; Airports; Computer security; Disaster resilience; Risk management
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Data and Information Technology; Planning and Forecasting; Security and Emergencies; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01963000
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 03-81
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 12 2025 10:14AM