"Aviation is proof that given the will,
we have the capacity to achieve the
impossible." - Eddie Rickenbacker
Well, Captain Rickenbacker probably wasn't thinking about ransomware when he said that, but here we are in 2025, where information security threats can ground planes faster than bad weather! That’s why we have come to a point where Information Security Awareness Training is a must and impacting all involved personnel. Therefore training will be essential and of highest important so we can spot the threats before they approach. Think of it as a digital safety demonstration, but instead of training SOP with oxygen masks and life vests, we're talking passwords and phishing emails.
Picture this: You’re at 35,000 feet, sipping a coffee, when suddenly the pilot announces, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be making an unscheduled landing because our flight management system has been compromised by hackers.” Sounds like a movie plot? Unfortunately, it’s closer to reality than we’d like to admit.
Cyberattacks in aviation have surged—up 24% in recent years—and 55% of airlines faced ransomware incidents in the past 12 months. That makes aviation information security awareness training just as critical as maintenance checks or weather assessments.
This training must tackle risks head-on, ensuring every team member—whether in the cockpit, cabin, or ground operations—understands their role in protecting aviation systems and sensitive data.
Enter EASA Part-IS (Information Security), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s regulatory framework that is reshaping how aviation approaches cybersecurity and data protection. Think of Part-IS as the air traffic control system for information security—it coordinates, manages, and ensures every organization follows the same safety protocols to protect critical information.
Part-IS isn’t just another rulebook. It’s a comprehensive framework that treats information security as a safety-critical concern. It requires organizations to implement Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) and provide information security awareness training to all personnel—exactly what Scandlearn’s six-module online course delivers.
The strength of Part-IS lies in its practicality. It doesn’t just tell you to “be secure”—it provides a structured approach covering everything from risk assessment to incident response, making information security as routine as a pre-flight check.
So, what does aviation information security awareness training online actually look like? Scandlearn has built a proven framework that defines the essentials—and why each step matters.
Training begins with the fundamentals: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.
Information security isn't just an IT concern – it's a safety issue. When Los Angeles International Airport was hit by a DDoS attack in 2024, operations were disrupted—reminding us that information security is a direct safety issue.
Next comes understanding the rules of the game. EASA Part-IS isn’t just guidance—it’s law that carries real consequences.Training must cover competence requirements, responsibilities, and how information security links into safety management systems.
We explore how Part-IS connects to broader safety management systems, ensuring that information security measures enhance rather than hinder operational efficiency. Security procedures, when done right, should feel like a seat belt: protective, natural, and never restrictive.
This is where regulation meets reality. Information security awareness training must explain how policies translate into daily behavior and personal responsibility:
Most breaches don’t come from shadowy hackers—they come from well-meaning employees who didn’t realize the impact of a single click. That’s why aviation information security awareness training needs to turn these rules into instinctive daily habits.
This part of the training is where theory must meet daily operations. It breaks down into three focused areas that every aviation professional needs to master:
Let’s be honest—“Password123!” might feel quick and easy, but it’s also an open invitation for attackers. Strong, unique passwords are the first defense, and they don’t need to be impossible to remember. Training should walk through building credentials that can withstand brute force attacks without requiring a math degree.
Then comes multi-factor authentication (MFA). Think of MFA as the aviation equivalent of multiple safety checks—just as you wouldn’t sign off on a dispatch with one inspection, you shouldn’t rely on a single login step to secure critical systems.
Recent incidents, like the 8BASE ransomware attack on Saudia Technic or the Rhysida group’s attack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, show that malware isn’t just a nuisance—it’s an operational crisis waiting to happen.
Training must cover how to:
Even something as routine as clicking “Yes” on an update prompt carries risk—understanding when and how updates are safe is part of building secure habits.
In a digital-first world, it’s easy to forget the physical layer of security. Sensitive data still exists on paper, whiteboards, and open screens. That’s why a clear desk policy isn’t about tidiness—it’s about making sure flight plans, manifests, or maintenance records don’t fall into the wrong hands.
Practical measures include:
These simple, physical practices are as important as any digital safeguard.
Despite our best efforts, security incidents happen. Ransomware attacks rose 600% in one year, hitting airlines including Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, and Qantas in June 2025. When an airline’s maintenance system suddenly shows work orders for another carrier’s fleet—that’s not a bug, it’s a breach.
Information security awareness training must help staff distinguish between routine glitches and real threats, while also providing clear reporting steps—without fear of blame. Training should cover practical reporting procedures: who to contact, what information to gather, and how to document incidents effectively.
Because when you’re dealing with a potential breach at 3 AM, instinct and preparation make the difference. That’s why embedding aviation information security awareness training into daily operations is critical—it ensures every employee knows exactly how to respond when every second counts.
When building training, it’s important to emphasize that information security isn’t a destination but an ongoing journey. Threats evolve quickly, so defenses, awareness, and training must continuously adapt. Effective aviation information security awareness training should highlight both ongoing support resources and the broader goal of long-term resilience.
To make the risks real, training should include recent industry incidents that disrupted operations and damaged trust in aviation:
The ultimate goal isn’t to turn aviation professionals into cybersecurity experts—we already have specialists for that. Instead, information security awareness training should make secure behavior instinctive:
This culture shift—embedding aviation information security awareness training into everyday habits—is what truly protects the industry in the long run.
Technology helps, but people remain the first line of defense. With 71% of breaches involving stolen credentials or unauthorized access, daily habits matter most. Every click, every password, every USB drive represents a potential security decision. Information security awareness training should ensure these decisions are informed, appropriate, and aligned with both regulatory requirements and operational needs.
Good practices should become instinctive:
Building these reflexes through aviation information security awareness training turns employees into proactive defenders—not just system users.
For training to succeed, learners must understand that information security isn’t just another regulation—it’s the next step in aviation’s deep commitment to safety. For decades, aviation has built a culture where maintenance, weather checks, and flight operations leave no room for shortcuts. Today, protecting digital information deserves that same unwavering attention.
This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about protecting passengers, colleagues, and the trust the aviation system relies on. Just as no pilot would take off with an unresolved technical issue, no one in aviation can afford to overlook the digital risks that sit alongside physical ones.
When reinforced through aviation information security awareness training, security becomes second nature—woven into the same safety-first culture that has defined aviation for generations. This is how organizations build resilience, compliance, and long-term trust.
The aviation industry currently sits at a “B” grade for information security. Yet organizations with strong awareness programs are nearly 3x less likely to suffer a breach.
That’s why we’ve built a complete aviation information security awareness training program based on EASA Part-IS. It combines regulatory compliance with real-world scenarios—designed to make secure behavior as natural as every other safety habit in aviation.
Choosing the right online information security awareness training course is no longer optional—it’s a regulatory requirement and a frontline defense. With Scandlearn’s interactive information security awareness training, crews don’t just pass a module—they build the instincts to spot, prevent, and report threats before they cause real damage. Compliance deadlines won’t wait. Neither should you.
Because in the end, the best safety equipment is still the same: a well-trained, safety-conscious professional.
Information security awareness training isn’t about ticking boxes—it’s about protecting lives, operations, and the trust aviation relies on. With cyberattacks up 600% in a single year and EASA Part-IS deadlines approaching fast, the industry can’t afford to wait.
The digital revolution in aviation can only succeed if safety evolves with it. That means every professional—from ground crew to flight deck—must be ready to recognize threats and respond without hesitation.
This is the moment to act. Aviation has always been built on a safety culture where no detail is too small to protect lives. Now it’s time to extend that mindset to digital security and compliance.
So buckle up and take this seriously—your passengers, colleagues, and the entire aviation system are counting on you.
👉 Sign up today to get Scandlearn’s full Part-IS information package with all compliance dates and requirements—so your operation stays ahead, not behind.