Applying Zero Trust Principles to Distributed Embedded Engine Control Systems
Mehrdad Pakmehr, Thanakorn Khamvilai, Alireza Behbahani, John J. Costello, Richard J. Skertic, Adejokun P. Ademola · AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum · 2022
View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-3480.vid The integration of information and communication technology tools into mechanical and aerospace devices has raised security concerns. Cyber attacks on flight control systems may influence physical processes and flight dynamics through digital manipulations. These digital manipulations can be disastrous for safety critical systems such as propulsion and aircraft systems. In the recent decades, Distributed Engine Control (DEC) strategies and architectures have been researched and explored. These distributed architectures offer considerable benefits for commercial and military aerospace platforms. DEC, however, suffers from vulnerabilities which do not affect classical control systems. The embedded devices and networked architecture of DEC systems make them susceptible to cyber attacks and intrusions. The vulnerabilities in the embedded elements, processors, and communication and control network of safety critical systems necessitates the need for the development of appropriate detection, identification, and mitigation techniques. Zero Trust Distributed Engine Control (ZT-DEC) strategies and architectures can mitigate the risks of cyber attacks and intrusions in safety critical flight control and propulsion systems.