TVC inspects cyber security | Local News

TRAVERSE CITY — Cherry Capital Airport will explore its data and computer systems security through a “vulnerability study” authorized by the Northwest Regional Airport Authority Board.

The board recently approved a $9,600 contract with Traverse City-based Windemuller Electric — the airport’s information technology or IT contractor — to conduct a vulnerability assessment of the airport’s computer network with an internal audit of its digital systems.

“Obviously, cyber security is very important these days,” said Bob Nelesen, TVC’s airport engineer and zoning administrator. “We’re highly proactive in terms of our cyber security concerns.”

Cyber security breaches within public institutions have made local headlines in recent weeks following a massive disruption of the computer network at Traverse City Area Public Schools that shut down the school system for two days in early April, and prompted an ongoing investigation into the hack by state and federal authorities.

Nelesen said the airport’s cyber security inspection wasn’t prompted by that incident, but that industry standards set by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Institute of Standards and Technology require airports to conduct annual cyber security inspections to maintain the necessary security levels.

Nelesen said the airport also works with the State Police’s Michigan Cyber Security Command — which is also involved in the TCAPS hacking investigation — on cyber security measures.

Nelesen said the Department of Homeland Security and NIST — which is a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce that sets technology measures and standards to enhance security in fast-evolving sectors such as nanotechnology, quantum information science and homeland security — implemented new cyber security requirements for airports two years ago.

“I would say we’ve had good IT procedures in place,” he said. But as the airport continues to expand in terms of more airline services providers and more activity…