Tegucigalpa, Honduras – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is strengthening cybersecurity for aviation infrastructure across Central America to help secure flights, including those with direct connections to the United States. USTDA awarded funding for technical assistance to the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA), Central America’s air navigation service provider, to develop a comprehensive roadmap to enhance the safety, security, and resiliency of critical air navigation systems across Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. As cyberattacks on critical infrastructure have increased substantially over the past decade, this assistance will address a shared priority for both the United States and Central American partners to protect these interconnected systems from growing cyber threats.
“The safety and security of air travel between the United States and Central America depends on resilient, cyber-secure aviation systems throughout the region,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Deputy Director. “This roadmap will enable our Central American partners to implement world-class cybersecurity protections while creating opportunities for U.S. companies to export their trusted cybersecurity and technology solutions.”
COCESNA has selected Cibernetika, LLC, to provide the technical assistance to develop a cybersecurity, IT, and operational technology roadmap for a system-wide, holistic approach to cybersecurity across COCESNA’s operations. The roadmap will strengthen network security, advance encryption and authentication protocols, and define a path for workforce training in cybersecurity best practices.
USTDA’s technical assistance funding will also create significant opportunities for U.S. companies to export trusted cybersecurity solutions, IT systems, secure software development tools, network security equipment, and aviation technology to the region.
Juan Carlos Trabanino Aguirre, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CONCESCA, said: “COCESNA values the cooperation with USTDA and the opportunity this technical assistance offers to promote the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and specialized technological capabilities regarding cybersecurity, as well as the challenges associated with implementing artificial intelligence and protecting critical infrastructure. This cooperation helps consolidate air navigation services in Central America that are increasingly safe, resilient, and reliable – prepared to respond to the technological challenges and cyber threats of the current aviation environment. With this initiative, COCESNA reaffirms its commitment to continue driving – together with its strategic partners – cooperative actions that contribute to the strengthening and sustainable development of civil aviation in Central America.”
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.
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