Part-IS Regulation
Understand the EASA Part-IS Regulation and what you should be doing about it within your aviation organisation.
What is EASA Part-IS?
In the digital age, aviation safety is no longer limited to physical and operational risks. Cyber threats and information vulnerabilities pose significant dangers to the industry. The EASA Part-IS regulation addresses this challenge by mandating information security measures that safeguard aviation operations against threats impacting safety.
Part-IS sets out clear rules to manage information security risks in civil aviation. It provides a structured framework for detecting, responding to, and recovering from information security incidents. Its ultimate goal is to protect critical aviation systems, passengers, and assets from both digital and human-originated threats.
PDF | 0.9MB | 11 pages
Who Does EASA Part-IS Apply To?
The regulation applies to a wide array of organizations operating within the European aviation ecosystem.
Key stakeholders include:
Airlines and Business Aviation Operators: Ensuring secure flight operations.
Airports: Protecting IT and operational systems vital to passenger safety and efficient operations.
Maintenance Organizations (CAMOs): Addressing risks in the management and maintenance of aircraft.
Civil Aviation Authorities: Overseeing the implementation of Part-IS requirements and ensuring compliance.
Training Providers: Covering pilot, crew, and air traffic controller training, including the operation of flight simulation devices.
Air Navigation and U-Space Service Providers: Safeguarding digital navigation and communication systems.
Exclusions: Certain smaller operators, such as those dealing exclusively with small aircraft under specified conditions, may not be subject to all Part-IS requirements. This proportionality ensures the regulation focuses on entities that pose higher risks to the aviation ecosystem.
Key Requirements of EASA Part-IS
The Part-IS regulation introduces a framework of essential requirements that organizations must meet to strengthen aviation information security. Each of these elements is critical to protecting aviation operations against emerging threats:
Adopting an Information Security Management System (ISMS)
An ISMS is the backbone of compliance under Part-IS. It provides a structured framework for managing information security risks, tailored to the unique needs of the aviation sector.
Key aspects include:
Policy Development: Organizations must establish and maintain clear policies that define their commitment to information security and aviation safety.
Role Assignments: Define responsibilities for information security management at all levels, ensuring accountability and expertise.
Scope and Boundaries: Tailor the ISMS to the organization’s specific operational environment, risks, and interfaces with other stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem.
Integration: Embed the ISMS within the broader management systems already in place, such as safety and quality systems, to create a cohesive approach.
Regular Risk Assessments
Risk assessment lies at the core of information security management.
Organizations are required to:
Identify Threats: Understand the specific threats they face, ranging from cyberattacks to human errors and system vulnerabilities.
Assess Vulnerabilities: Examine weaknesses in IT systems, operational processes, and human factors that could be exploited.
Evaluate Impacts: Determine how identified threats could affect operations, safety, and compliance.
Prioritize Risks: Focus on the most critical risks using a systematic approach, ensuring resources are allocated where they are most needed.
Incident Detection and Response
The regulation emphasizes the need for robust systems to handle security incidents effectively.
Organizations must:
Detect Events: Deploy tools and processes to identify unusual activities or potential breaches, including network monitoring, anomaly detection, and alerts.
Classify Incidents: Distinguish between minor events and significant incidents that could impact aviation safety.
Respond Swiftly: Develop procedures for immediate response to contain and mitigate threats. This includes isolating affected systems, restoring operations, and preventing escalation.
Recover Operations: Implement recovery plans that ensure quick restoration of systems while minimizing disruptions.
Post-Incident Analysis: Analyze incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
An effective detection and response capability ensures that organizations can handle unforeseen events while maintaining operational continuity.
Reporting Security Incidents
Transparency and accountability are central to Part-IS compliance.
Reporting obligations include:
Internal Reporting: Establish a clear internal process for staff to report observed or suspected security events. This encourages a proactive security culture within the organization.
External Reporting: Notify competent authorities about significant incidents, especially those with potential safety impacts, within specified timeframes.
Collaboration Across Stakeholders: Share relevant incident information with other entities in the aviation ecosystem to enhance collective security resilience.
By reporting incidents promptly and accurately, organizations contribute to a safer aviation environment.
Continuous Improvement
Part-IS recognizes that information security is an evolving field, requiring ongoing attention and adaptation.
Continuous improvement involves:
Regular Audits: Conduct periodic reviews of the ISMS to assess its effectiveness and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Threat Monitoring: Stay informed about new and emerging threats that could affect aviation operations.
Feedback Loops: Use lessons learned from incidents, audits, and risk assessments to refine processes and systems.
Staff Training and Development: Continuously train employees on the latest security practices, tools, and threats.
Technology Upgrades: Invest in modern technologies to stay ahead of malicious actors and vulnerabilities.
Continuous improvement ensures that organizations remain resilient and responsive to a dynamic threat landscape.
PDF | 0.9MB | 11 pages
PDF | 4.3MB | 279 pages
You are not alone in the Part-IS journey
Navigating the requirements of the EASA Part-IS regulation can feel daunting, especially for organizations without dedicated information security expertise. At Part-IS.eu, we are committed to making compliance accessible and achievable for everyone in the aviation sector. We offer a range of tailored support services to help you understand, implement, and maintain your compliance journey with confidence.
EASA Part-IS Implementation Workshops
Information security isn’t just an IT responsibility—it impacts every department in an organization. Our Part-IS Implementation workshops are designed for non-technical personnel, making the concepts and requirements of Part-IS understandable and actionable.
These workshops focus on:
- Explaining the fundamentals of information security and its importance in aviation safety.
- Breaking down Part-IS requirements in plain language, helping participants see their role in compliance.
- Offering practical steps to initiate the compliance journey without overwhelming technical jargon.
Workshops are higly interactive and focused on getting participants started on their compliance journey, ensuring everyone—from operations to HR—can contribute to a stronger information security posture.
Full Implementation Workshop
- Barcelona, Spain
- 29-30 April 2025
We are taking our full implementation workshop to Barcelona in the beautiful time of Spanish spring. This is the workshop dedicated to non-IT professionals who want to understand Part-IS and start the compliance journey for their organisation.
Personalized Support for ISMS Implementation
Starting from scratch with an Information Security Management System (ISMS) can be challenging. Our personalized support services provide the guidance and expertise needed to build a robust ISMS tailored to your organization’s unique requirements.
Here’s how we help:
- Conducting an initial assessment to identify your current security posture and gaps.
- Assisting in drafting policies, processes, and procedures that align with Part-IS.
- Offering step-by-step guidance to integrate the ISMS into your existing management systems.
Whether you’re a small training provider or a large airport, we ensure your ISMS is both compliant and practical, without unnecessary complexity.
Ongoing Support with a Fractional CISO
For organizations without in-house information security expertise, hiring a full-time Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) may not be feasible. Part-IS.eu offers Fractional CISO services, providing you with expert support on a flexible, part-time basis.
Our Fractional CISO can:
- Act as your go-to expert for information security strategy and compliance.
- Provide hands-on guidance for monitoring, reporting, and updating your ISMS.
- Represent your organization in discussions with regulatory authorities or industry partners.
- Stay ahead of evolving threats and ensure continuous alignment with Part-IS requirements.
This cost-effective solution gives you access to seasoned expertise without the overhead of a full-time hire.
Free Part-IS Resources
Part-IS Practical Implementation Guideline
- Regulation concepts broken down
- Highly practical implementation guidelines
- No IT Jargon, only what you need to know.
- Easy step-by-step process to compliance
- Learn about where you can find support
PDF | 0.9MB | 11 pages
Part-IS Gap Analysis Checklist for Organisations
- Easy to track Regulation references
- Start your implementation journey
- See where you are wil Part-IS compliance
- Still have questions? We are always here for you!
PDF | 0.8MB | 5 pages
