Software Engineering Daily

Aviation Cybersecurity with Serge Christiaans

Dec 11, 2025
Serge Christiaans, a former Dutch Air Force and commercial pilot now leading the Aviation Cyber Academy, explores critical issues in aviation cybersecurity. He discusses the aircraft as a digital attack surface and the dangers of outdated technologies like ARINC protocols. Serge emphasizes the need for better cybersecurity training for pilots, the risks of hybrid warfare, and the importance of transparency in incident reporting. With rising cyber threats looming, he advocates for a shift towards a just culture in aviation to enhance safety and resilience.
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ANECDOTE

Dual Career In Military, Commercial, And Cyber

  • Serge Christiaans described switching between flying and cybersecurity as switching languages he speaks both fluently.
  • He ran an IT company while flying commercially and later became a regional CISO during COVID before returning to flight.
INSIGHT

Safety Culture Slows Cyber Adoption

  • Aviation cybersecurity maturity sits around the industry median because safety culture resists change and new cyber controls may alter certified safety postures.
  • That conservative safety culture slows adoption of cyber resilience despite rising threats.
INSIGHT

Aircraft As Flying Server Rooms

  • Modern aircraft are effectively flying server rooms with many computers, hybrid cyber-physical systems, and extensive telemetry links.
  • Engines and maintenance telemetry widen the attack surface and could be targeted to disable an aircraft's core capabilities.
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