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[Rog]

We are constantly being . . . .

Told by the banks that their systems are secure
By companies that their systems are stable and secure
To do our tax affairs online
To do almost everything else online
etc etc etc

Computers run our everyday lives

And yet . . . . .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30454240

I'm just waiting for when the big switch in the sky gets turned off     

[omega3000]

Its a bit worrying but i think me £700k is safe under the bed , safe as houses and away from those robbing bankers getting a bonus out of it 

[Varche]

Totally unacceptable in this day and age.

Where was the back up? Where was the fallback?

What happens when an unfriendly country hacks into air traffic control ( I do wish posters would put a clue in the title!) and planes fall out of the sky for lack of landing guidance? There is more than one a minute trying to land in London alone

No good enough. Here is the million pound question. Will anyone actually get the sack?  I am guessing that as usual no one will.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Apparently unmanned freight planes will be taking to the skys soon.  I wonder how these will cope when systems fail. 

[AndyRoid]

And yet . . . . .

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30454240

I'm just waiting for when the big switch in the sky gets turned off     

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest, not too long ago there was an Android app that let you send instructions to a plane's ACAS (anti collision) computer if you happened to be nearby (eg, at an airport).

Of course it was played down and said it wouldn't affect aircraft in real life as there is a human pilot on board, but the fact it had the ability to send one of the plane's computers false info which the computer would accept as genuine should be concern enough....especially as us humans have proven time and time again that we sometimes refuse to believe what the computer says when we believe we know different.

[05omegav6]

Totally unacceptable in this day and age.

Where was the back up? Where was the fallback?

What happens when an unfriendly country hacks into air traffic control ( I do wish posters would put a clue in the title!) and planes fall out of the sky for lack of landing guidance? There is more than one a minute trying to land in London alone

No good enough. Here is the million pound question. Will anyone actually get the sack?  I am guessing that as usual no one will.

This isn't pick on Varche Week, honest...

The back up was implemented, but a side effect, the emergency system calls for much greater separation between flights. In order to clear the airspace it gets closed and any arriving aircraft are stacked if they're within UK airspace and landed in order of fuel available. Any aircraft heading this way are either diverted or delayed at point of departure. Any aircraft departing UK airspace are held on the ground until the arriving aircraft have been organised. Departures then begin at a reduced level. Eventually the flights return to normal, but how quickly this happens depends on a) the full NATS systems coming back on line and b) individual airlines ability to absorb the delayed flights onto subsequent ones- either by using larger aircraft than a given route might normally see, by chartering more sircraft temporarily or by simply cancelling flights.

Given recent events elsewhere and Dave's early departure from Stormont, could this have been a prod from the big red bear...

[Varche]

Al, that is fine I don't see it as pick on me week.

What i do see is some fine excuses BUT the emergency system should be able to cope with LESS seperation between flights. Why, well because it is an emergency. Get more air traffic controllers at their desks, cancel tea breaks , sub contract out to another country, employ the back up etc etc.

Sorry but still unnaceptable. Thank goodness no planes dropped out of the sky. This is exactly the sort of thing that will happen when there is the next WW.

Nervous me. yes I am taking to the skies at Xmas to avail myself of some hogmanay. Maybe I will have to start early in case the flight doesn't make it    

[chrisgixer]

I do wonder why terrorists bother, when they could achieve similar carnage with an Internet connection and some persistence. .....Well ok a lot of persistance probably....

[Sir Tigger KC]

Given recent events elsewhere and Dave's early departure from Stormont, could this have been a prod from the big red bear...

Nail on head there Al.  Cyber war! 

[05omegav6]

If you resort to getting the boat over, I can meet you at the port

For a modest fee of course...