A cyberattack on the South African Weather Service (SAWS) on January 26 has forced airlines to seek alternative sources for critical meteorological data. The breach compromised SAWS’s information and communication technology systems, disrupting aviation weather observations and forecasts.
On Monday, SAWS was unable to provide any aviation weather updates, according to the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (Aasa). Currently, the SAWS website remains offline, but the agency has resumed limited forecasts via the social media platform, X.
“Weather products for marine and aviation sectors are being conveyed via alternative channels. Daily forecasts are being sent regularly via email to media houses and to Disaster Management Authorities,” said Ishaam Abader, SAWS CEO.
According to Aaron Munetsi, CEO of Aasa, this was a further challenge the aviation industry could do without, as it was illegal to dispatch a flight without a weather forecast.
“In this day and age, it is imperative that our essential service providers have robust cybersecurity barriers in place, which are tested frequently for gaps, which are then plugged. Fortunately, our member airlines have found alternative workarounds so that operations are not disrupted,” said Munetsi.
Meanwhile, engineers and cybersecurity experts are working to restore SAWS operations.
