A Survey on Security and Privacy of Automatic Dependent Surveillance -
Broadcast (ADS-B) Protocol : Challenges, Potential Solutions and Future
Directions
Abstract
Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) system is based on
wireless communications protocol to broadcast aircraft identification
and navigational information via data link. Effectively mandated by
almost all regional civil aviation regulatory bodies worldwide, ADS-B is
essentially defining the future of many international Air Traffic
Management programs like Global Plan Initiatives, NextGen ATS and Single
European Sky ATM Research. Aircraft determine position from navigation
satellites, merge these with identity and classification information for
further broadcast on open / un-encrypted format over standard
surveillance channel using ADS-B equipped transponders. Information
collected by multiple ground, air and space-based ADS-B receivers is
then fused to form complete surveillance picture for aircraft tracking
to be used by Ground Controllers and Pilots, enabling effective Air
Traffic Management. Additionally, this surveillance data is also
available over internet for public viewing on PCs, laptops or even
smartphones. Due to its open architecture and broadcast nature, ADS-B
data transmitted over the air remains vulnerable and prone to
unwarranted security and privacy issues. With commercial availability of
inexpensive Software Defined Radios (SDRs), stated vulnerabilities can
be further exploited through any or all attacks applicable to wireless
communications medium, subsequently jeopardizing Air Traffic Services
and risking flight safety of passengers. International Civil Aviation
Organization, central to air transport policy and standardization
worldwide, has also acceded to the security issues related to
availability, confidentiality and integrity of ADS-B in their
documentations. It has recommended to undertake security risk assessment
studies in coordination with appropriate state organization to devise
ways and means to mitigate the attack effectiveness. In cognizance to
same, this survey article is an effort to compile information contained
in various research proposals and industrial documents. It is aimed to
understand ADS-B systems and its vulnerabilities, identifying threat
levels and attacks, recent developments and analysis of developed or
scholarly proposed countermeasures to secure ADS-B transmitted data,
with or without altering existing protocol or infrastructure.