4 Ways Airports Can Navigate the Spoofing Surge

OPS Group has reported a 400% surge in GPS spoofing incidents, with, on average, 900 flights per day being impacted by these attacks. 

GPS spoofing, jamming, meaconing, and time synchronization attacks offer serious consequences from operational disruptions, compromise of passenger safety, and airport security vulnerabilities. The surge of these attacks highlights the need for proactive and robust countermeasures to prevent these risks.

Here are 4 ways airports can protect against GPS risks and threats:

1. Proactive state change monitoring

• Proactive state change monitoring continuously observes and analyzes GPS signals within the parameters to identify any unexpected changes in the signal behavior. This monitors for loss of signal, loss of GPS lock, and instances of jamming or spoofing. For state change monitoring to be effective, normal signal behavior needs to be set as a standard. Any deviation from these norms should trigger alerts to allow for security protocols to act on these potential threats.
• Benefit: Through early detection, security teams can respond to threats before airports have been impacted. This can allow for backup systems to be put in place or the implementation eliminates the threat of the threat before occurring.

2. Deviation monitoring 

• Deviation monitoring focuses on detecting discrepancies between the expected and actual GPS-derived location and time. This is vital for GPS spoofing and meaconing attacks, where GPS signals are distorted away from their true location or time by attackers. By utilizing a tool, such as LOCH's GPS Canary, airports can maintain 24x7 monitoring of aircraft location and time, with precise deviation measures.
• Benefit: With GPS Canary's 24x7 monitoring, deviance is identified early on, allowing for proactive corrective actions to be put into place before damage or loss can occur.

3. Implementation of Redundant Navigation and Communication Systems

• GPS disruptions can occur through natural causes such as storms, accidental interference, or deliberate attacks. By implementing redundant navigation and communication systems as backup methods in case the primary GPS-based systems are compromised. Redundant systems provide a crucial layer of security that allows operations to continue through GPS attacks. Redundant systems uphold airport safety and security, while also preventing loss from schedule delays and accidents.
• Benefit: With multiple communication and navigation options, airports can stay in control of aircraft movements and continue communications with pilots.

4. Trained Personnel on GPS attack protocols

• On average, 900 flights a day are being attacked by GPS spoofing. To counteract this, airport personnel including air traffic controllers, pilots, and ground crew should be receiving training on GPS protocols related to attacks. Knowing what to monitor for, deviations to watch for, and what steps to take when incidents may be occurring can maintain airport security, safety, and functions to continue.
• Benefit: By preparing airport personnel to properly identify and respond to GPS attacks, airports can reduce the risks of incidents in the air and on the ground.

As GPS-related threats continue to rise, airports must adopt a multi-layered approach to safeguard their operations, passengers, and infrastructure. By implementing a comprehensive Wireless Airspace Defense system, airports can effectively counter threats such as GPS spoofing, meaconing, jamming, and time synchronization attacks. LOCH's Wireless Airspace Defense platform, equipped with advanced radar, radio frequency sensors, and machine learning algorithms, provides continuous surveillance, detection, and response capabilities. This platform offers centralized data analytics and real-time threat alerts, ensuring the protection of critical operations, passenger safety, and the minimization of disruptions.

GPS Spoofing in the News

• Reuters: GPS spoofers 'hack time' on commercial airlines, researchers say
• WSJ: Airlines Train Pilots to Manage GPS Tampering
• Forbes: GPS Spoofing Is Now Affecting Airplanes In Parts Of Europe
• NPR: Israel fakes GPS locations to deter attacks, but it also throws off planes and ships
  
  

Have thoughts on additional ways that airports can better navigate GPS spoofing threats? Leave a comment below!