Behind the Badge: Addressing Insider Threats in the Aviation Industry

     For the majority of airline passengers and pilots, there is a lot of trust put on the aircraft maintainers but sometimes they can pose a significant threat. Insider threats in the aviation industry can occur in various forms, including sabotage, theft of sensitive information, and intentional damage to aircrafts. These insiders can be pilots, mechanics, baggage handlers, flight attendants, ground crew, etc. but is mostly caused by employees with access to secure areas and sensitive data who misuse their positions (BaMaung, D.).

    An example of this is in 2019 there was a case where a disgruntled American Airlines mechanic purposefully interfered with an aircraft's Air Data Module (ADM) causing the plane to abort takeoff (Jones, D.).

“Surveillance footage showed Alani deliberately obstructing the Air Data Module using a dark, Styrofoam-like material—highlighting the malicious intent behind the sabotage (Jones, 2019).”

    TSA plays a vital role in safeguarding the aviation industry from insider threats. One of the primary ways to prevent insider threat occurrences is through rigorous background screenings for airport employees. By conducting thorough investigations into the criminal history and affiliations of employees, TSA can identify potential risks before any harm occurs. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of security cameras and tracking these employees' behavior and access patterns can help detect anomalies that may indicate insider threats (BaMaung, D.).

    It is important for TSA to carefully vet its employees and verify their credentials through screenings. Aircraft maintainers play a huge role in keeping passengers safe and planes flying therefore it is crucial that they can be trusted to do their job correctly but also able to detect insider threats. 

    In conclusion, insider threats in the aviation industry pose a significant challenge that requires a proactive response. The TSA's role in implementing background checks, continuous monitoring, and promoting security awareness is essential in mitigating these risks. As the aviation sector continues to evolve, it is imperative that employees remain vigilant and adapt to emerging threats, ensuring the safety and security of air travel for all.

Citations:

BaMaung, D. (2018, August 20). Security: The hidden ‘insider’ threat of the aviation sector. International Airport Review. https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/73985/security-the-hidden-insider-threat-of-the-aviation-sector/

Jones, D. (2019, September 5). American Airlines mechanic charged with sabotaging plane over labor dispute. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2019/09/05/american-airlines-sabotage-mechanic-charged-disabling-system-labor-dispute/2228179001/