Jumbo hacker trouble for Boeing

A new report from the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has sounded alarm bells at Boeing, revealing that the 787 Dreamliner’s comphrehensive passenger entertainment system (which includes live broadband internet) could potentially be hacked by passengers – compromising flight critical systems...

In a section titled “Novel or Unusual Design Features” the report states that the network architecture of the 787’s entertainment system is unlike any existing system in that it is connected to the same network as the aircraft’s flight-safety control and navigation systems.

The FAA warns; “because of this new passenger connectivity, the proposed data network design and integration may result in security vulnerabilities from intentional or unintentional corruption of data and systems critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane.”

The authority has ordered that special conditions are imposed to ensure that aircraft security and integrity are not compromised. Qantas is expecting the delivery of its first Dreamliners later this year.

8/2/11_ex_m_h_nl