SITA partners with Palo Alto Networks to elevate cybersecurity

Air transport technology specialist SITA has announced its partnership with Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity company, to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity protection for mission-critical airport applications.

The solution will safeguard access from remote sites, mobile workforce and airport assets such as check-in workstations, self-service kiosks, tablets, smartphones and baggage scanners, to improve passenger flows while avoiding downtimes and reducing turnaround times. The partnership will focus on delivering advanced cybersecurity solutions (including Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, Prisma SD-WAN Instant-On Network devices, and Prisma Access) to provide comprehensive network security, connectivity and cloud-based protection, all managed by SITA. 

This solution, called SITA Managed Security Service Edge (SSE), consisting of Palo Alto Networks solutions, offers a suite of network security services (such as secure web gateways, intrusion detection, threat intelligence, next-generation antivirus or WildFire, DNS protection, SSL decryption and data loss prevention), delivered from Palo Alto Networks’ cloud platform.

As a specialised subset within SITA’s Secure Access Service Edge framework, SSE delivers security measures to protect digital infrastructure and implements advanced protection demanded by all chief information security officers and compliance authorities, including the US National Institute of Standards and Technology and ISO 27000.

Martin Smillie, SITA Senior Vice President for Communications and Data Exchange, said: “The need to protect vital digital applications within the transportation industry has never been more acute, given the ever-evolving threat from cyberattacks. This agreement delivers industry-leading cybersecurity protection for our airport, airline and other customers, in mission-critical areas of their operation.”

Patricia Murphy, Vice President, EMEA and LatAm Ecosystems at Palo Alto Networks, added: “This partnership will begin a transformation of cybersecurity in the air transport industry, helping ensure that critical systems are protected with the most advanced cybersecurity platforms available (platformisation), fostering a safer and more efficient environment for air travel worldwide.”

SITA recently signed a deal with Singapore Cruise Centre to improve the passenger experience at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and HarbourFront Ferry Terminal.