Florida Dominates, as Detroit Airport Ranks #9 Nationwide for Website Security

Digital privacy company VeePN tested website security at America’s 31 large airport hubs, with each rated for security headers and SSL security. Security headers are a crucial component of any website, helping prevent various cyberattacks. Sites with excellent SSL security ensure your data is more secure and less vulnerable to hackers. The airports were analyzed and given a grade for each metric, with an average overall score out of 100 then calculated.

Table: America’s large airport hubs with the most secure websites

Anthony Brown, Web Software Developer at VeePN, commented on the findings, “These results show significant variation in airport website security across the U.S. The difference between the highest and lowest scores is quite stark at almost 50 points.

“Many of the airports with lower scores could make simple improvements to boost their security considerably. Updating security headers is a straightforward fix that would benefit many of the lower-ranked websites.”

SSL Labs grades proved a bright spot for most airport websites with 23 of the 31 airports receiving an A or A+ grade in this critical security category that evaluates encryption protocols used to protect sensitive data between travelers and airport websites.

Security headers told a completely different story. Twelve airports failed outright.

Brown added, “These F grades in security headers highlight a widespread vulnerability among many of America’s busiest air travel hubs and point to a critical area where numerous facilities could make straightforward improvements to boost their overall website security and better protect travelers’ personal information including credit card details and travel records.

“Airport websites often handle sensitive traveler information and reservations, making their digital security particularly important. The best-performing airports demonstrate that achieving high security standards is possible, and others should follow their example.”

Sources:

• Security Headers
• SSL Labs

Methodology

• This study ranks each US Large Hub airport based on how secure their website is. Two websites were used to give each airport a total security score:
  • Security Headers for a grade relating to security headers
  • SSL Labs for an SSL security grade
• Each airport was given an average score based on the grades and ranked.

Notes:

Each grade was given the following scores: