Aviation Security: New Tactics Against Social Media Bomb Hoaxes

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has released new guidelines to evaluate bomb threats on Indian airlines, especially those emerging via pseudonymous social media accounts. The Bomb Threat Assessment Committee will adopt a multilayered approach to distinguish between specific threats and hoaxes, saving operational resources.

In a bid to address the rising number of bomb threats to airlines, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has rolled out new guidelines that focus on the nuances of threats issued via social media. The move aims to bolster the robustness of the aviation sector's response to these evolving security challenges.

The freshly issued protocols mandate a rigorous evaluation process by the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC). This involves a multi-layered scrutiny of the threat's credibility, including assessing the social media handle's authenticity and potential VIP presence onboard affected flights. Over 510 flights have been targeted in recent weeks, causing significant disruptions and financial losses for airlines.

To mitigate the impact of these hoaxes, the BTAC now adopts a more strategic approach, utilizing cyber intelligence collaboration to differentiate real threats from false alarms. This shift in strategy has already led to the classification of more than 400 threats as hoaxes, conserving vital resources and alleviating strain on the aviation infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies.)