ICAO sign agreement to increase digital framework in aviation

ICAO Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a development which will see the two agencies exploring the specifics for a new trust framework aimed at securing digital communications in the aviation sector.

Dr. Liu emphasised: “Identity management is critical to the safety and security of air operations when it comes to digital communications in the 21st century and ICAO is eager to explore the potential of how our agency can serve as a digital identity trust-broker for global air transport.”

She continued: “Our preliminary analysis has illustrated that this type of single-source identity framework could generate significant cost savings and security benefits for operators, manufacturers, suppliers, essentially anyone wishing to exchange information in a globally and digitally connected aviation.”

ICAO has been canvassing all of these stakeholders in recent weeks in order to gain their insights and perspectives on the benefits the new aviation trust framework could help lead to.

The new ICAO-ICANN MoU, focused on promoting joint cooperation in the area of Internet technology development within aviation systems, is seen as a critical step in helping to submit a mature proposal on the topic for the official review and endorsement of the ICAO Council later this month.