Are you an aviation SME relying on your current IT provider for all your cybersecurity needs, assuming they’ve got you covered for new regulations like EASA Part-IS? I often hear this assumption, and it’s a perfectly natural one to make. After all, your IT partner handles your network, your computers, and your basic security. But when it comes to specialised aviation compliance, there’s a hidden risk many businesses overlook.
This article will expose that often-unseen gap. We’ll explain the fundamental difference between general IT support and the deep, specific expertise required for regulatory compliance like Part-IS. You’ll learn why many IT providers might fall short in this unique aviation context and, crucially, what critical Part-IS requirements they might miss. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and the right questions to ask to ensure your business isn’t unknowingly exposed, and you’ll know exactly when and how to seek the right specialised support to achieve full Part-IS compliance. This is essential reading for any aviation SME owner or manager who trusts their IT partner implicitly.
What If Your IT Provider Can’t Deliver Part-IS Compliance?
It’s a uncomfortable thought, isn’t it? Many aviation SMEs have a long-standing, trusting relationship with their IT managed service provider (MSP). These providers often do an excellent job of keeping systems running, managing everyday cyber threats, and providing technical support. However, EASA Part-IS introduces a layer of regulatory, process-driven, and aviation-specific information security requirements that go far beyond standard IT support.
The risk is that you believe you’re covered, only to discover later that your IT provider, despite their best intentions, lacks the niche expertise or the regulatory understanding needed to achieve and maintain Part-IS compliance. This oversight could leave your business vulnerable to non-compliance penalties, operational disruption, and ultimately, a compromise of aviation safety. It’s a hidden risk because the assumption of coverage is often unspoken.
IT Support vs. Compliance Expertise: Mind the Gap
To understand why many IT providers might struggle with Part-IS, it’s important to distinguish between general IT support (or even generic cybersecurity services) and specialised regulatory compliance expertise.
- General IT Support/Cybersecurity: This typically focuses on keeping your systems operational, patching software, managing networks, and providing protection against common cyber threats like malware and phishing emails. Their expertise lies in the technical infrastructure.
- Regulatory Compliance Expertise (like Part-IS): This goes much deeper. It involves:
- Understanding specific regulations (e.g., EASA rules, safety management principles).
- Conducting formal, documented risk assessments aligned with regulatory frameworks.
- Developing and implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS) that integrates with safety management.
- Crafting policies, procedures, and documentation that satisfy auditors.
- Ensuring incident reporting pathways to competent authorities.
- Managing supply chain security in a regulated context.
- Fostering a security culture that aligns with aviation safety.
While there’s overlap, a general IT provider might manage your firewall (a technical control), but they may not be equipped to document its role within a Part-IS ISMS, assess the specific aviation safety risks it mitigates, or report incidents to EASA in the required format. [Insert personal insight about what’s worked (or not) for similar businesses in bridging this gap].
Why Many MSPs Lack Aviation Cybersecurity Knowledge
Several factors contribute to why a general MSP might not be fully equipped for EASA Part-IS compliance:
- Unfamiliarity with EASA Regulations: EASA regulations are highly specialised. Many MSPs focus on broader industry standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001 for general business) and may not have deep knowledge of aviation-specific rules.
- Focus on Generic IT Threats: Their expertise is often in common cyber threats affecting all businesses, not the unique safety-related information security risks prevalent in aviation (e.g., targeting flight planning systems, airworthiness data).
- Lack of ISMS Implementation Experience: While they might implement security tools, many MSPs lack experience in building, maintaining, and auditing a formal ISMS tailored to a specific regulatory framework like Part-IS.
- No ISO 27001 or Similar Certification Experience (Specific to Aviation): Even if an MSP has some security certifications, it might not translate to the aviation compliance context without specific experience.
- Absence of ‘Safety’ Mindset: Aviation operates with an inherent safety-first culture. A generic IT provider may not fully grasp how information security directly impacts aviation safety, a core principle of Part-IS.
Critical Part-IS Requirements Your IT Partner Might Miss
Here are specific areas where a general IT provider might fall short in helping you meet EASA Part-IS obligations:
- Formal Risk Assessments: Part-IS requires structured risk assessments that identify and evaluate risks to safety-related ICT systems. This goes beyond a basic vulnerability scan.
- Integration with Safety Management System (SMS): Part-IS expects the ISMS to be integrated with, or at least complementary to, your existing SMS. This requires an understanding of aviation safety management principles.
- Incident Reporting to Authorities: Part-IS mandates reporting of certain information security incidents to EASA and national competent authorities. Your IT provider might handle internal incident response, but not regulatory reporting.
- Supply Chain Security Evaluations: Part-IS extends to managing the security risks posed by your suppliers. Your IT provider, while a supplier themselves, may not be equipped to assess or advise on the cybersecurity of your other critical vendors. For more on this, read our article Supply Chain Cyber Risk in Aviation — And How to Manage It.
- Documentation and Audit Readiness: Part-IS compliance requires comprehensive documentation of your ISMS, policies, and procedures, all of which need to be ready for regulatory audit.
How to Check If Your Provider Is Part-IS Capable (Questions to Ask)
Don’t wait for an audit to find out. Here are some critical questions to ask your current IT provider:
- “Have you implemented an Information Security Management System (ISMS) specifically for an aviation client under EASA Part-IS before?” (Look for specific experience, not just general IT security).
- “Can you demonstrate how your services map directly to the specific control objectives and requirements of EASA Part-IS?”
- “What is your experience with formal risk assessments in a regulated safety context?”
- “Do you have a process for assisting us with mandatory incident reporting to EASA or national aviation authorities?”
- “How do you address supply chain security as part of your service offering, particularly regarding our other critical vendors?”
- “Can you provide references from other aviation clients you’ve helped with Part-IS compliance?”
- “What training or certifications do your team members hold that are specifically relevant to aviation cybersecurity or regulatory compliance?”
Their answers will quickly reveal their level of specific expertise.
When to Seek Additional Support (vCISO or Compliance Specialist)
If your current IT partner cannot confidently answer these questions, or their experience falls short, it’s a clear signal that you need additional, specialised support. Ignoring this gap puts your business at significant risk. Options include:
- Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services: A vCISO provides high-level strategic cybersecurity and compliance guidance without the cost of a full-time Chief Information Security Officer. They can bridge the gap between your IT team and your regulatory obligations.
- Specialised Compliance Consultants: Firms that specialise in aviation regulatory compliance or cybersecurity for critical infrastructure can provide the expertise needed to build your ISMS, conduct risk assessments, and prepare for audits. [Insert how your company approaches this challenge or service offering].
- Training Your Current Provider: In some cases, if your relationship is strong and your provider is willing, they might be able to upskill their team. However, this is a longer-term solution and requires significant commitment from both sides.
The risk of non-compliance is simply too high to ignore. For those considering tackling aspects of ISMS building themselves or in conjunction with specialists, our guide How to Build an ISMS for EASA Part-IS Compliance (Without Overkill) provides valuable insights.
Closing the Gap: Ensuring Part-IS Success for Your Business
EASA Part-IS compliance is achievable, but it requires the right expertise. For many aviation SMEs, this will involve a multi-faceted approach: leveraging your existing IT provider for day-to-day operations and general cybersecurity, but bringing in specialist compliance expertise to handle the nuances of aviation regulatory requirements.
By proactively identifying potential gaps in your IT support and seeking out specialised guidance when needed, you can ensure your aviation business not only meets its Part-IS obligations but also builds a truly robust and resilient information security posture. Don’t leave your compliance to chance.