New agreement to guide progress on proposed aviation trust framework for digital environments

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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.

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

 

“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 Secretary General Dr. Fang Liu (centre) shakes hands with Mr. Göran Marby, CEO and President of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) during the ICAO/ICANN MoU signing ceremony last week at ICAO Headquarters. Also present on the occasion are Mr. David Conrad, ICANN Chief Technology Officer (far right), ICAO Air Navigation Bureau Director Mr. Stephen J. Creamer (2nd from left), and ICAO’s Chief of Global Interoperable Systems, Mr. Saulo Da Silva (far left). The new MOU will see the two agencies exploring the specifics for a new trust framework aimed at securing digital communications in the aviation sector.

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.

About ICANN

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is a non-profit organization which oversees the maintenance and procedures of databases essential to the Internet’s stable and secure operation.