EASA Part-IS — Information Security Regulation (EU) 2023/203

Why it Matters

EASA Part-IS establishes a unified approach to safeguarding aviation information systems against evolving cyber threats while supporting regulatory compliance.

Key benefits include:

• Strengthen cybersecurity governance

Promote consistent security leadership by integrating information security into organizational policies, management processes, and oversight structures.

• Enhance regulatory alignment

Enable organizations to meet EU aviation cybersecurity requirements, reducing gaps in compliance and supporting ongoing regulatory reporting obligations.

• Improve incident detection and response

Facilitate monitoring and escalation procedures, allowing faster identification and containment of cyber incidents impacting aviation operations.

• Protect sensitive operational data

Implement targeted controls that help secure flight, passenger, and operational data critical to safety and business continuity.

• Increase audit and readiness posture

Provide a clear framework for demonstrating control effectiveness, supporting both internal audits and external regulatory assessments.

How it Works

EASA Part-IS organizes information security obligations into regulatory requirements and control areas tailored to the aviation sector. The regulation establishes a risk-based approach covering governance, asset and access management, incident reporting, supply-chain security, and continuity. It outlines lifecycle processes and reporting obligations that operators and suppliers must follow to meet compliance.

Organizations implement EASA Part-IS by conducting risk assessments, mapping security controls to operational assets, and embedding requirements into existing safety and security governance frameworks. They appoint accountable roles, deploy monitoring and detection measures, run exercises and audits, and maintain incident response and notification procedures to satisfy regulatory reporting and continuous improvement of security practices.

Within SmartSuite, teams operationalize EASA Part-IS by loading control libraries and mapping them to a centralized risk register, linking policy governance to evidence collection, and enabling compliance tracking. Automated remediation workflows, audit readiness checklists, and reporting dashboards support monitoring, document trails for audits, and coordinated risk management across programs.

Key Elements

• Information Security Governance Structure

Establishes organizational responsibilities, policies, and oversight mechanisms for information security management within aviation operations.

• Cybersecurity Risk Management Process

Describes procedures for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that may impact aviation information systems and services.

• Incident Reporting and Response Protocols

Specifies mandatory steps for reporting, handling, and resolving cybersecurity incidents affecting aviation safety and operations.

• Operational Security Control Areas

Organizes protective measures covering access management, system security, and data integrity relevant to aviation-specific environments.

• Vulnerability and Threat Assessment Practices

Outlines structured methods for identifying, evaluating, and addressing vulnerabilities and emerging threats.

• Compliance and Monitoring Processes

Defines procedures for ongoing evaluation, audit, and demonstration of adherence to regulatory information security requirements.

Framework Scope

EASA Part-IS —Information Security Regulation (EU) 2023/203 is adopted by civil aviation carriers, maintenance providers, and airport operators with responsibility for aviation-related information and operational technology systems. The regulation governs information assets critical to aviation safety and is implemented to satisfy regulatory mandates, enhance cybersecurity risk management, and support compliance oversight and operational resilience.

Framework Objectives

EASA Part-IS —Information Security Regulation (EU) 2023/203 defines key objectives to improve cybersecurity and resilience in civil aviation organizations.

Safeguard information assets and systems vital to aviation safety and operations

Strengthen cybersecurity risk management and governance across regulated entities

Enable compliance with regulatory requirements for information security controls

Enhance operational resilience against cyber threats and emerging attack vectors

Improve detection, reporting, and response to cybersecurity incidents

Promote ongoing data protection and increase audit readiness in the aviation sector EASA Part IS, the EU aviation information security regulation, maps to and complements frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIS2, and GDPR by aligning control requirements and incident reporting expectations. Aviation organizations implement Part IS for regulatory compliance and certification, to strengthen security governance, and to operationally improve cyber resilience across fleets and supply chains.

Framework in Context

EASA Part IS, the EU aviation information security regulation, maps to and complements frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIS2, and GDPR by aligning control requirements and incident reporting expectations. Aviation organizations implement Part IS for regulatory compliance and certification, to strengthen security governance, and to operationally improve cyber resilience across fleets and supply chains.

Common Framework Mappings

Organizations map EASA Part IS to widely adopted security, privacy, and operational frameworks to ensure regulatory alignment, risk-based controls, data protection, and cross-border interoperability.

Mapped frameworks include:

CIS Critical Security Controls

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

ISO/IEC 27001

ISO/IEC 27002

ISO/IEC 27701

NIS2 Directive

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53

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