# GAO Urges FAA to Secure Aviation Communications

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has unresolved cybersecurity gaps affecting digital communications between aircraft and ground systems. GAO made nine recommendations addressing system-level risk assessments, security controls, data classification, continuous monitoring, and interagency coordination, including monitoring for interference, spoofing, and jamming and strengthening authentication and data protection for ACARS and CPDLC. The findings identify capability needs relevant to aviation cybersecurity suppliers, but the signals cite no solicitation, contract value, or procurement timeline.

- Companies providing aviation communications security, threat monitoring, authentication, or data protection can map their capabilities to the specific gaps GAO identified.
- FAA acquisition and program teams may need capabilities that support continuous monitoring of spectrum-related threats and protection of ACARS and CPDLC communications.
- Because no funded procurement or solicitation is identified, suppliers should treat the findings as an indication of potential demand—not as an active contract opportunity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation, Information Technology
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Government Accountability Office (GAO)

### Sources
- [
        GAO says FAA still has work to do to protect its systems - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/cybersecurity/2026/11/gao-says-faa-still-has-work-to-do-to-protect-its-systems) - Federal News Network
- [
        Modern aviation depends on a constant flow of digital information between aircraft and the ground. GAO says FAA still has work to do - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/podcast/federal-drive-with-terry-gerton-podcast/modern-aviation-depends-on-a-constant-flow-of-digital-information-between-aircraft-and-the-ground-gao-says-faa-still-has-work-to-do) - Federal News Network