Airline Cyberattacks Reveal a Larger Threat—And SMBs Are in the Crosshairs

In late June 2025, the FBI issued a warning that the cybercriminal group Scattered Spider may be targeting the airline and transportation sectors. Known for its use of social engineering, help desk impersonation, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) bypass techniques, this sophisticated group is believed to infiltrate airline networks by exploiting trusted vendors, contractors, and even by impersonating employees.

What's Happening at Airports Right Now

1. Phishing IT helpdesk staff: Attackers call in posing as airline or vendor employees needing help resetting credentials or MFA devices. Once granted access, they slip unauthorized phone numbers into accounts—an elegant twist that circumvents even strong protection systems.
2. Unauthorized MFA device registration: In several incidents, ScatteredSpider convinced helpdesk agents to add new authentication devices tied to hackercontrolled numbers—effectively granting themselves direct access to sensitive environments.
3. Sensitive data theft and ransomware deployment: After gaining a foothold, the group harvests documents, customer records, and internal communications—then often strikes with ransomware or extortion campaigns.
4. Real-world breaches at airlines: Confirmed incidents include Hawaiian Airlines and WestJet, which disclosed internal system compromises—though neither named the attackers directly.
5. Industrywide response and risk evolution: Reports of multiple similar intrusions across aviation have been brought forth. The FBI is working directly with airports and airlines to contain ongoing threats—and urging bolstered identityverification protocols

Notably, these cyber intrusions have not disrupted flight safety or airport operations yet—but that could change if left unchecked.

Why This Should Terrify SMBs Too

Usually, attention focuses on megacorporations—but the airport attacks reveal a critical truth: the weakest link is often a small vendor, insurance provider, or contracted IT firm operating on limited budgets. And that, fundamentally, is YOU.

• SMBs make ideal soft targets. Many lack specialized security teams or layered defenses, making them easier to hack through MFA or helpdesk loopholes.
• SMBs hold valuable data. Whether it's staff records, vendor credentials, or customer info, you possess data that can unlock backdoors into bigger clients—just what Scattered Spider seeks.
• A breach can be catastrophic. For SMBs, a ransomware attack means losing access to critical files, systems, or even client access—and over 60% don't survive six months postbreach.

Airport and airline incidents serve as a wake-up call: no organization is too big or small to be targeted.

How Airports Are Responding—and What SMBs Should Learn

• Stricter helpdesk protocols: Airlines now require multifactor identity checks before resetting credentials or registering devices.

Your takeaway? Even if you're just one-desk IT, don't bypass verification standards under pressure.

• Enhanced MFA procedures: Help desks are now trained to question and log every MFA request—especially unusual ones.

Your takeaway? MFA is only secure if rigorously protected. Lock it down.

• Continuous incident detection and response: Airlines are working with Mandiant, Unit42, and the FBI to flag anomalies fast, share attack intel, and isolate breaches.

Your takeaway? You don't need an army onsite—but you do need rapid detection and reaction systems.

How TotalBC Protects SMBs From Threats

TotalBC offers cybersecurity for businesses of every size. Our end-to-end services provide hardened protection across these areas:

1. MFA Hardening

Ensuring any MFA reset or credential request is validated via multiple channels in real time.

2. Endpoint & Network Defense

Managed firewalls, anti-malware, and SIEM-style monitoring guard every device and network path you rely on.

3. 24/7 Threat Detection + Rapid Response

Like airport cyber teams, we watch for MFA bypasses, suspicious logins, and privilege escalations—and we jump into action immediately.

4. Customized Security Training

Your team learns to recognize phishing, vishing, and social engineering attempts tailored to your sector, just as airports do—and respond correctly.

5. Vendor & Contractor Risk Screening

We audit your entire ecosystem—including third-party connections—to root out weak links and reinforce security across your supply chain.

Ready for Takeoff? Act Now

Airports are tightening their defenses—can you say the same? Every sector is now in Scattered Spider's crosshairs. If the FBI is warning airlines of MFA manipulations and credential scams, SMBs should be doubling down.

Here's What You Should Do Today:

• Conduct an emergency cybersecurity assessment: 
• Upgrade protocols for resets of passwords or authentication devices.
• Implement 24/7 detection and response.
• Enroll your staff in cyber awareness training.
• Secure all vendor access.

Final Boarding Call

If airlines and airports—backed by top-tier cybersecurity—are struggling to defend against hackers, it's only a matter of time before smaller partners are hit harder. But with the right defenses in place, you can harden your systems, educate your workforce, and detect threats before they escalate.

TotalBC is here to equip your business with end-to-end cybersecurity. Let's shore up your identity protocols, lock down access, and build cloud-grade resilience—together.

Contact us today at 866-673-8682 or visit https://www.totalbc.com/free-network-assessment to schedule your FREE Network Assessment, and ensure your small business is prepared for threats big and small.