U.S. aviation administration computers used to control air traffic may be vulnerable to hacking

According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) computers that are used by the authorities to direct planes in flight and protect the national traffic system may be vulnerable to hacking or terrorist activities.

According to the Washington Post, the report said that the FAA has fallen short in its efforts to protect the U.S. air traffic control system from such activities.

The report said that there are significant security control weaknesses that threaten the agency's efforts to ensure a safe operation of the U.S. airspace.

The FAA said it will implement the 14 changes listed in the GAO report.

Keith Washington, acting assistant secretary for administration at the Department of Transportation, said earlier that the FAA had achieved six "major milestones" concerned with improving cybersecurity and agreed with the GOA recommendations for improvement.