EFB Data Validation and App Isolation for Avionics Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Avionics systems in aerial vehicles face potential cyber threats due to interconnectivity with uncertified data from Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) applications, which can compromise flight operations and affect integrity, functionality, and robustness.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for validating uncertified data from EFB applications, isolating and neutralizing compromised applications, and calculating flight modification parameters using certified aviation data to ensure optimal flight operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If uncertified data from EFB applications is integrated into avionics systems, then functionality and versatility are improved, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential cyber threats

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs validity tests on uncertified data from EFB applications before integrating it into avionics systems. This preliminary validation action identifies compromised applications in advance, allowing the system to prevent integration of malicious data while still enabling functionality from trusted sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments EFB applications into compromised and non-compromised groups based on validity test results. By isolating compromised applications and allowing non-compromised ones to integrate their data, the system maintains functionality from reliable sources while blocking harmful inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If all EFB applications are isolated due to security concerns, then security is improved, but functionality and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different security measures to different EFB applications based on their individual validity test results. Compromised applications are isolated, while non-compromised applications continue to function normally. This localized security approach maintains operational efficiency by preventing blanket isolation of all applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If validity tests are performed on all EFB applications, then security is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs validity tests in advance before data integration is required. By completing security validation beforehand, the system avoids delays during critical flight operations and reduces real-time processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250363206A1Data security management

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Techniques for managing security of data of EFB applications to be used with avionics are described. In one example implementation, the present subject matter facilitates in determining if one or more of the plurality of EFB applications are compromised by performing a validity test on the uncertified data and further applying an isolation and neutralization technique only on the one or more compromised EFB applications.