Photo: SITA

SITA, Palo Alto Networks Partner to Boost Airport Cybersecurity

Our Bureau - : Jan 16, 2025 - : 9:09 pm

SITA has announced a partnership with Palo Alto Networks to strengthen cybersecurity measures for critical airport operations. The collaboration introduces Palo Alto Networks’ AI-driven cybersecurity solutions into SITA’s existing portfolio, with the aim of securing various airport systems and assets. ...

To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:

Under the agreement, SITA will manage the new services through its Cyber Security Operations Centre (CyberSOC). The solutions are designed to secure access for remote sites, mobile workers, and airport assets such as check-in counters, self-service kiosks, and baggage scanners. These measures aim to ensure uninterrupted operations, smoother passenger processing, and optimised turnaround times.

The partnership centres on delivering Palo Alto Networks' technologies, including Next Generation Firewalls (NGFW), Prisma SD-WAN Instant-On Network (ION) Devices, and Prisma Access. These tools will provide comprehensive protection for networks, connectivity, and cloud environments.

The new service, known as SITA Managed Security Service Edge (SSE), integrates Palo Alto Networks’ solutions to deliver a full range of cybersecurity services. These include secure web gateways, intrusion detection, threat intelligence, antivirus protection, DNS security, SSL decryption, and data loss prevention. These capabilities are hosted on Palo Alto Networks’ cloud platform and managed by SITA.

As part of SITA’s broader Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework, the SSE offering is designed to meet stringent cybersecurity standards, such as those outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and ISO 27000.

Martin Smillie, SITA Senior Vice President for Communications and Data Exchange (CDE) said: “The need to protect vital digital applications within the transportation industry has never been more acute, given the ever-evolving threat from cyber-attacks. This agreement delivers industry-leading cybersecurity protection for our airport, airline and other customers, in mission critical areas of their operation. Managed by SITA CyberSOC, this combines Palo Alto Networks best-in-class AI-powered, cloud native Endpoint and Application protection, all optimised and future-proofed to combat cyber threats.”

Patricia Murphy, VP EMEA & LATAM Ecosystems at Palo Alto Networks said: “SITA has provided innovative answers for communications and data exchange to the aviation industry for the past 75 years and is now expanding into other areas of transportation also. This partnership will begin a transformation of cybersecurity in the air transport industry, helping ensure that critical systems are protected with the most advanced cybersecurity platforms available fostering a safer and more efficient environment for air travel worldwide.”

The partnership aims to implement advanced cybersecurity measures across aviation and other transportation sectors. Palo Alto Networks will contribute its Precision AI system, designed to detect and mitigate cyber threats. This technology, combined with threat intelligence and automation, is part of the company’s global efforts to enhance cybersecurity for various industries.

The collaboration reflects a growing emphasis on protecting the digital infrastructure critical to modern transportation systems.

Sita / Cybersecurity / Palo-alto-networks /

MORE NEWS