Cyber Security in Aviation: Cyber security culture

Aviation is built on culture.

From the first day of training, we learn that safety isn’t just procedures – it’s mindset. Pilots, engineers, and crew all share a culture where reporting, cross-checking, and vigilance are second nature.

Cyber security is no different. The strongest firewalls and best tools mean little if the culture behind them is weak. Attackers know this – that’s why phishing, social engineering, and credential theft still work. They exploit people, not just systems.

Cyber security culture is about making secure behaviour the norm, not the exception. Just as aviation safety culture empowers anyone to speak up if they spot a fault, a strong cyber culture ensures people feel responsible for protecting data and systems.

Core principles of a strong cyber security culture:

• Leadership buy-in – just like a captain sets the tone in the cockpit, executives set the tone in a business. If leadership ignores cyber hygiene, so will everyone else.
• Shared responsibility – every team member, from procurement to engineering, should see themselves as part of the defence. Security isn’t “just IT’s job.”
• Training that sticks – not once-a-year box ticking, but ongoing, engaging awareness campaigns. Simulated phishing, scenario-based workshops, and real-world stories resonate more than slide decks.
• No-blame reporting – in aviation, a near-miss is a learning opportunity, not a career-ending mistake. The same should apply to clicking a suspicious link or spotting a strange login. Encourage fast reporting, not silence.
• Embed checks into daily workflow – security shouldn’t feel like a burden. Automate MFA, make updates seamless, and integrate verification steps into existing processes so they become habit.
• Measure and improve – track incidents reported, training engagement, and phishing test results. Culture is measurable, and what gets measured, gets managed.

A strong cyber security culture isn’t about fear. It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving every employee the confidence and tools to question, report, and act securely.

In aviation, culture has kept us the safest mode of transport in the world. In business, it can be the difference between resilience and a breach.

The next time you think about cyber risk, ask yourself: is my team just compliant or are they truly culture-driven?

Next in the series: Incident Response – how rehearsed drills, just like emergency procedures in aviation, can save time, money and reputation when the worst happens.