[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68986-68987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27342]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 25

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0959; Special Conditions No. 25-504]


Special Conditions: Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series 
Airplanes; Aircraft Electronic System Security Protection From 
Unauthorized External Access

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final special conditions.

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SUMMARY: These special conditions are issued for the Boeing Model 777-
200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. These airplanes, as modified by 
The Boeing Company, will have novel or unusual design features 
associated with the architecture and connectivity capabilities of the 
airplane's onboard network computer systems, which may allow access to 
or by external computer systems and networks. This onboard network 
system will be composed of a network file server, a network extension 
device, and additional interfaces configured by customer option. 
Connectivity to, or access by, external systems and networks may result 
in security vulnerabilities to the airplane's onboard network system. 
The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special 
conditions contain the additional safety standards that the 
Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety 
equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.

DATES:  Effective Date: The effective date of these special conditions 
is November 18, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Varun Khanna, FAA, Airplane and Flight 
Crew Interface Branch, ANM-111, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1298; facsimile 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On August 21, 2012, The Boeing Company applied for a change to Type 
Certificate No. T00001SE Rev. 30 dated June 6, 2012 for installation of 
an onboard network system, associated line replaceable units (LRUs) and 
additional software functionality in the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, 
and -300ER Series Airplanes. The Boeing Model 777-200 airplanes are 
long-range, wide-body, twin-engine jet airplanes with a maximum 
capacity of 440 passengers. The Boeing Model 777-300 and 777-300ER 
series airplanes have a maximum capacity of 550 passengers. The Model 
777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes have fly-by-wire controls, 
software-configurable avionics, and fiber-optic avionics networks.
    The proposed architecture is novel or unusual for commercial 
transport airplanes by enabling connection to previously isolated data 
networks connected to systems that perform functions required for the 
safe operation of the airplane. This proposed data network and design 
integration may result in security vulnerabilities from intentional or 
unintentional corruption of data and systems critical to the safety and 
maintenance of the airplane. The existing regulations and guidance 
material did not anticipate this type of system architecture or 
electronic access to aircraft systems. Furthermore, regulations and 
current system safety assessment policy and techniques do not address 
potential security vulnerabilities, which could be caused by 
unauthorized access to aircraft data buses and servers.

Type Certification Basis

    Under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 21.17, The 
Boeing Company must show that the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -
300ER series airplanes meet the applicable provisions of 14 CFR part 
25, as amended by Amendments 25-1 through 25-128.
    If the Administrator finds that the applicable airworthiness 
regulations (i.e., 14 CFR part 25) do not contain adequate or 
appropriate safety standards for the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -
300ER series airplanes because of a novel or unusual design feature, 
special conditions are prescribed under Sec.  21.16.

[[Page 68987]]

    Special conditions are initially applicable to the model for which 
they are issued. Should the type certificate for that model be amended 
later to include any other model that incorporates the same novel or 
unusual design feature, the proposed special conditions would also 
apply to the other model under Sec.  21.101.
    In addition to the applicable airworthiness regulations and 
proposed special conditions, the Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER 
series airplanes must comply with the fuel vent and exhaust emission 
requirements of 14 CFR part 34 and the noise certification requirements 
of 14 CFR part 36 and the FAA must issue a finding of regulatory 
adequacy under Sec.  611 of Public Law 92-574, the ``Noise Control Act 
of 1972.''
    The FAA issues special conditions, as defined in 14 CFR 11.19, 
under Sec.  11.38, and they become part of the type-certification basis 
under Sec.  21.17(a)(2).

Novel or Unusual Design Features

    The Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes will 
incorporate the following novel or unusual design features: An onboard 
computer network system, and a network extension device. The network 
extension device will improve domain separation between the airplane 
information services domain and the aircraft control domain. The 
proposed architecture and network configuration may be used for, or 
interfaced with, a diverse set of functions, including:
    1. Flight Safety related control and information systems.
    2. Operator business and administrative support (operator 
information domain);
    3. Passenger information and entertainment systems (passenger 
entertainment domain), and;
    4. The capability to allow access to or by external sources.

Discussion

    The architecture and network configuration in the Boeing Model 777-
200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes may enable increased 
connectivity to, or access by, external airplane sources, airline 
operations, and maintenance systems to the aircraft control functions 
and airline information services. The aircraft control functions and 
airline information services perform functions required for the safe 
operation and maintenance of the airplane. Previously these domains had 
very limited connectivity with external sources. The architecture and 
network configuration may allow the exploitation of network security 
vulnerabilities resulting in intentional or unintentional destruction, 
disruption, degradation, or exploitation of data, systems, and networks 
critical to the safety and maintenance of the airplane. The existing 
regulations and guidance material did not anticipate these types of 
airplane system architectures. Furthermore, 14 CFR regulations and 
current system safety assessment policy and techniques do not address 
potential security vulnerabilities, which could be exploited by 
unauthorized access to airplane systems, data buses, and servers. 
Therefore, these special conditions are issued to ensure that the 
security (i.e., confidentiality, integrity, and availability) of 
airplane systems is not compromised by unauthorized wired or wireless 
electronic connections.

Applicability

    As discussed above, these special conditions are applicable to the 
Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes. Should The Boeing 
Company apply at a later date for a change to the type certificate to 
include another model on the same type certificate incorporating the 
same novel or unusual design feature, the special conditions would 
apply to that model as well.

Conclusion

    This action affects only certain novel or unusual design features 
on Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER series airplanes. It is not a 
rule of general applicability and affects only the applicant who 
applied to the FAA for approval of these features on the airplane.
    The substance of these special conditions has been subjected to the 
notice and comment period in several prior instances and has been 
derived without substantive change from those previously issued. It is 
unlikely that prior public comment would result in a significant change 
from the substance contained herein. Therefore, the FAA has determined 
that prior public notice and comment are unnecessary, and good cause 
exists for adopting these special conditions upon publication in the 
Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 25

    Aircraft, Aviation safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    The authority citation for these special conditions is as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702, 44704.

The Special Conditions

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the following special conditions are issued as part of 
the type certification basis for Boeing Model 777-200, -300, -300ER 
series airplanes modified by The Boeing Company.
    1. The applicant must ensure airplane electronic system security 
protection from access by unauthorized sources external to the 
airplane, including those possibly caused by maintenance activity.
    2. The applicant must ensure that electronic system security 
threats are identified and assessed, and that effective electronic 
system security protection strategies are implemented to protect the 
airplane from all adverse impacts on safety, functionality, and 
continued airworthiness.
    3. The applicant must establish appropriate procedures to enable 
the operator to ensure that continued airworthiness of the aircraft is 
maintained, including all post Type Certification modifications that 
may have an impact on the approved electronic system security 
safeguards.

Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27342 Filed 11-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P