Cybersecurity in Aerospace & Defense: Why the Stakes Have Never Been Higher

jembarber8
3 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 23 hours ago

Introduction

Cyberattacks are no longer a distant threat. They’re here and they’re evolving faster than ever. For companies in the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) sector, the implications are profound. These organisations hold sensitive intellectual property, operate critical infrastructure, and form part of national security supply chains. A single breach can disrupt operations, compromise classified data, and damage reputations beyond repair.

The Escalating Cyber Threat Landscape

The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks have surged dramatically in recent years. According to the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), AI is accelerating attack sophistication, and ransomware remains the most acute threat facing UK organisations in 2025.

Key Stats:

Why Aerospace & Defense Are High-Value Targets

The A&D sector is a prime target for cybercriminals and nation-state actors for several reasons:

Sensitive IP and Classified Data: Designs, schematics, and operational plans are gold mines for espionage.
Operational Disruption: A successful attack can ground fleets, halt production lines, and delay mission-critical projects.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Attackers often exploit weaker links in the supply chain to gain access to core systems.
National Security Risks: Breaches can compromise defense capabilities, put civilians and forces at risk, and erode trust with government stakeholders.

Best Practices for Securing IT Systems

While the threat landscape is daunting, there are proven strategies to reduce risk and strengthen resilience.

Infrastructure and configuration hardening is the process of securing IT systems by reducing vulnerabilities and minimizing the attack surface. It involves applying strict security measures to both the underlying infrastructure and the software configurations running on them.

Disable unnecessary services and ports to prevent exploitation.

Apply latest patches and updates to operating systems and firmware.
Enforce strong authentication (MFA, complex passwords) for administrative access.
Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems from less secure environments.
Remove default accounts and change default credentials immediately.
Enable secure protocols (HTTPS, TLS) and disable insecure ones (FTP, Telnet).
Configure logging and auditing to monitor changes and detect anomalies.
Validate application settings against security benchmarks (e.g., CIS benchmarks).
Have a well-defined incident response process which is regularly rehearsed across operations and management.

Additional Tips for Securing PSO Applications

Enforce Strong Access Controls: Implement RBAC and MFA for all logins, especially administrative accounts.
Secure Data Transmission and Storage: Use TLS/HTTPS for all communication and encrypt sensitive data at rest.
Patch and Update Regularly: Apply vendor patches promptly and maintain a test environment for validation before production deployment.
Monitor and Audit Activity: Enable audit logging for all user actions and system changes; use SIEM tools to detect anomalies.
Harden Integrations: Secure ERP and PSO interfaces with API authentication, rate limiting, and input validation; disable unused connectors and ports.
Implement Secure Configuration: Disable default accounts, change default passwords, and restrict direct database access using least privilege principles.
Backup and Recovery: Schedule regular backups of PSO configurations and schedules; test disaster recovery plans for quick restoration.
Continuous Security Training: Train planners and schedulers on phishing awareness and credential handling; educate IT teams on emerging threats specific to optimization algorithms and scheduling engines.

But It’s Not Always That Simple

For IT operations teams, end users, and business owners, keeping systems updated and aligned with security best practices is far from simple. Frequent vendor patches, complex dependency chains, and the need for rigorous testing before deployment often create delays and resource strain. End users may resist changes due to downtime or unfamiliar workflows, while business leaders struggle to balance security investments against operational priorities.

In ERP and Planning & Scheduling environments, where integrations run deep and uptime is critical, even minor updates can feel risky—yet postponing them leaves systems exposed to evolving threats. This tension between security and continuity is one of the biggest pain points businesses face today.

Don’t Be the Next Victim

If staying on top of your IFS or PSO environment feels overwhelming, time-consuming, or costly, give us a call. Our Lifecycle Assurance service, delivered by Security Cleared UK-based experts, ensures your systems remain secure, supported, and feature-ready—without the headaches.