Publication


Impact of Public Key Enabled Applications on the Operation and Maintenance of Commercial Airplanes

7th AIAA Aviation Technology Integration, and Operations (ATIO) 2007


Author(s): Richard Robinson, Mingyan Li, Scott Lintelman, Krishna Sampigethaya, Radha Poovendran, David von Oheimb, Jens-Uwe Bußer
Year: 2007
Publisher: AIAA
Editors:
Keywords:Airplane software, information technology, infrastructure, safety, security, Public Key Infrastructure, certification
Abstract: Making airplanes network-enabled can significantly increase the efficiency of aircraft manufacturing, operation and maintenance processes. Yet these benefits cannot be realized without addressing the potential for network-induced security threats. This paper addresses challenges that emerge for network-enabled airplanes that use public key cryptography-based applications. In particular, we focus on the electronic distribution of airplane software and data. We present both an ad hoc approach without trust chain between certificates, and a structured approach employing a proper PKI. Both approaches facilitate public key-enabled applications, and both levy operational requirements on airlines. To reduce operating overhead, we propose to integrate the new requirements into existing airline ground infrastructure and processes. The presented work is based on ongoing collaborative efforts among Boeing, FAA and EASA, to identify needs of the airlines for operating and maintaining network-enabled airplanes.


Copyright © 2007 Boeing, Siemens, and University of Washington
Preprint

BibTeX entry:

@inproceedings{AIAA-ATIO-Boeing-Siemens-UW, author = {Richard Robinson and Mingyan Li and Scott Lintelman and Krishna Sampigethaya and Radha Poovendran and David von Oheimb and Jens-Uwe Bu\ss{}er}, title = {Impact of Public Key Enabled Applications on the Operation and Maintenance of Commercial Airplanes}, booktitle = {Proc. of the 7th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration and Operations Conference (ATIO)}, publisher = {AIAA}, isbn = {1-56347-889-7}, year = 2007, note = {\url{http://ddvo.net/papers/AIAA_ATIO.html}}, abstract = { Making airplanes network-enabled can significantly increase the efficiency of aircraft manufacturing, operation and maintenance processes. Yet these benefits cannot be realized without addressing the potential for network-induced security threats. This paper addresses challenges that emerge for network-enabled airplanes that use public key cryptography-based applications. In particular, we focus on the electronic distribution of airplane software and data. We present both an ad hoc approach without trust chain between certificates, and a structured approach employing a proper PKI. Both approaches facilitate public key-enabled applications, and both levy operational requirements on airlines. To reduce operating overhead, we propose to integrate the new requirements into existing airline ground infrastructure and processes. The presented work is based on ongoing collaborative efforts among Boeing, FAA and EASA, to identify needs of the airlines for operating and maintaining network-enabled airplanes.} }