Aircraft maintenance interfaces are vital for diagnosing, updating, and maintaining various systems, ensuring the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. These interfaces, which include the Secure Maintenance Interface (SMI), are responsible for managing ground-based maintenance tasks, software updates, and system diagnostics. The SMI encompasses functions such as the Maintenance Data Collection Function (MDCF), Diagnostic Function (DF), and Software Update Function (SUF), all of which are crucial for aircraft upkeep.

However, cybersecurity threats targeting these maintenance interfaces posing risks to flight safety, operational integrity, and data confidentiality. These threats could lead to data manipulation, unauthorized updates, or malware introduction, jeopardizing the entire aircraft system. Traditional encryption methods are becoming inadequate due to advancements in quantum computing, which can break conventional cryptographic algorithms and expose aircraft maintenance interfaces to cyber threats.

This research proposes the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) to secure data transmission within SMI. QKD enhances MDCF by encrypting diagnostic and maintenance data, preventing tampering. It strengthens DF by ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of software updates. Additionally, it secures SUF by protecting data exchanges during ground maintenance from cyberattacks using QKD-based encryption.

Although QKD integration in maintenance interfaces offers significant benefits, it also presents challenges. These include the need for specialized quantum hardware, potential impacts on aircraft weight and efficiency, and compatibility with existing maintenance protocols. Despite these obstacles, implementing QKD in aircraft maintenance interfaces marks a pivotal step in aviation cybersecurity. Ongoing research and development are essential to optimize system performance and reduce implementation costs. They also ensure seamless integration into future aircraft designs, safeguarding aviation against evolving cyber threats in the quantum era.

In this presentation, we present approach to securing aircraft maintenance interfaces using QKD. Our contribution includes analyzing security vulnerabilities, proposing QKD-based encryption solutions, and assessing their effectiveness against cyber threats. By integrating QKD, we enhance the security of maintenance data access, software updates, and ground-to- aircraft communication. The findings demonstrate the feasibility of QKD in aviation cybersecurity, paving the way for more resilient and future-proof maintenance systems.