Kuala lumpur: Airports must strengthen cyber resilience and join hands to tackle increasingly sophisticated digital threats to maintain uninterrupted airport operations as aviation systems become more interconnected and technology-driven, according to Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MHAB) chief information officer Vijaykumar Dayinde. Restoring airport operations should be the priority during cyber incidents, he said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Vijaykumar emphasized that cybersecurity could no longer be viewed solely as an information technology (IT) issue but must instead be treated as a core operational priority across the airport ecosystem. He stated, "Today, it is about resilience. The more you utilise artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation and networking initiatives, the more essential cyber protection becomes," during a panel session titled 'How Airports Can Prepare for Cyber Incidents: The Basics' held in conjunction with the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition.
Vijaykumar noted that airports are increasingly exposed to cyber risks as operators accelerate digitalisation initiatives, AI adoption and network integration to improve passenger experience and operational efficiency. Airports today depend heavily on interconnected systems covering passenger processing, operational management, enterprise services, and security infrastructure, making cyber preparedness essential to maintaining uninterrupted airport operations.
Supporting Vijaykumar's view, SITA business information security office director Florian Logoras remarked that airports are becoming more attractive targets for cybercriminals due to their critical role in national infrastructure and growing reliance on digital systems. "The risk of cybersecurity and cyber incidents is no longer a theoretical exercise," he said, adding that airports must be prepared to operate even in 'degraded mode' during major disruptions. SITA, based in Geneva, is a multinational information technology company that provides IT and telecommunications services to the aviation community.
Vijaykumar highlighted that cyber threats have evolved significantly in recent years, particularly with the rise of ransomware-as-a-service and AI-enabled attacks. "The new reality of cybersecurity right now is that threat actors are working with ransomware-as-a-service. These guys are becoming more and more powerful in releasing their models with AI capabilities. So, AI has to fight with AI," he explained. He stressed the importance of prioritizing operational continuity during cyber incidents, noting that restoring airport operations should take precedence over other concerns during the early stages of an attack.
Strong leadership support is crucial during cyber crises, Vijaykumar added, as operators may need to make rapid decisions to contain disruptions and restore services. "The first and foremost important thing is you need leadership from the top," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Aviation ISAC regional information security manager Nickelby Thane advocated for stronger collaboration and trust among airports, airlines, and aviation stakeholders to improve cyber-preparedness across the industry. "We need to band together; we need to build that trust, that common understanding," he said, warning that cyberattacks are expected to continue rising across the Asia-Pacific region. Aviation ISAC, based in Annapolis, Maryland, is a global community of aviation cybersecurity professionals created to facilitate the timely exchange of vulnerabilities, threat intelligence, and best practices.
The three-day ACI Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Assembly, Conference and Exhibition, held from May 12-14, gathered approximately 500 airport operators, aviation leaders, and cybersecurity experts to discuss emerging industry challenges and operational resilience strategies.