Presenter Email
mcarroll@fit.edu
Location
Mori Hosseini Student Union Events Center (Bldg #610) – Rooms 165 B/C
Start Date
3-3-2020 2:15 PM
End Date
3-3-2020 3:30 PM
Submission Type
Presentation
Keywords
Aviation, Cybersecurity, Decision Making
Abstract
Cybersecurity is a growing concern in the aviation industry. In general, cybersecurity research has typically focused on providing technical solutions such as hardening networks and improving computer systems, with little focus on the human operator. Human operators, such as pilots, are often the last line of defense; however, it is currently unclear whether pilots can recognize cybersecurity vulnerabilities, detect when a system is being compromised, and respond appropriately to a cybersecurity event. A review of literature revealed three key stages in cybersecurity response decision process (susceptibility, detection, and response) that are influenced by eight separate factors (perceived susceptibility, perceived safeguard cost/ effectiveness, system trust, system reliability, system knowledge, cybersecurity knowledge/ experience, saliency of cybersecurity event, and system transparency). This framework was examined within the aviation domain by administering a questionnaire to a large sample of airline, corporate and general aviation pilots and conducting a simulator study with a medium size sample of B737 airline pilots. This presentation will describe the methods and findings associated with these two efforts, along with implications and guidance for the aviation industry.
Presenter Biography
Dr. Meredith Carroll is an Associate Professor of Aviation Human Factors at Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Aeronautics. She has over 15 years of experience, both in industry and academia, studying human performance, human-computer interaction and learning in complex systems within commercial aviation, military and space applications. She received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia, her Masters in Aviation Science from Florida Institute of Technology and her Ph.D. in Applied Experimental Psychology and Human Factors from the University of Central Florida.
Examining Pilot Response to Cybersecurity Events on the Flight Deck
Mori Hosseini Student Union Events Center (Bldg #610) – Rooms 165 B/C
Cybersecurity is a growing concern in the aviation industry. In general, cybersecurity research has typically focused on providing technical solutions such as hardening networks and improving computer systems, with little focus on the human operator. Human operators, such as pilots, are often the last line of defense; however, it is currently unclear whether pilots can recognize cybersecurity vulnerabilities, detect when a system is being compromised, and respond appropriately to a cybersecurity event. A review of literature revealed three key stages in cybersecurity response decision process (susceptibility, detection, and response) that are influenced by eight separate factors (perceived susceptibility, perceived safeguard cost/ effectiveness, system trust, system reliability, system knowledge, cybersecurity knowledge/ experience, saliency of cybersecurity event, and system transparency). This framework was examined within the aviation domain by administering a questionnaire to a large sample of airline, corporate and general aviation pilots and conducting a simulator study with a medium size sample of B737 airline pilots. This presentation will describe the methods and findings associated with these two efforts, along with implications and guidance for the aviation industry.
Comments
Presented during Concurrent Session 8A: Technology in Aviation