In this episode, we sit down with Eric Stride, Chief Security Officer at Huntress, to discuss the escalating cybersecurity challenges facing the aviation industry. Eric highlights the alarming 600% year-over-year surge in cyberattacks targeting the sector, emphasising how attackers are exploiting the interconnected and fragile aviation supply chain—most notably seen in recent incidents like the ransomware strike on Collins Aerospace. He explores the growing risk posed by both IT and OT system convergence, the shift in regulation tying cybersecurity readiness directly to airworthiness, and the increasing adoption of robust frameworks to mitigate operational disruptions and data breaches. Eric also highlights the critical need for holistic supply chain security, the importance of regulatory enforcement, and a cultural shift in the industry toward prioritising safety and cyber resilience to restore public trust in air travel.

Eric Stride is the Chief Security Officer at Huntress, where he oversees the company’s 24/7 Global Security Operations Center, Detection Engineering, Adversary Tactics, IT Operations, and Internal Security. A 20+ year cybersecurity leader, Eric has held senior roles spanning the U.S. Air Force, NSA, and private sector. 

During his 12 years on active duty, Eric helped architect the Air Force’s first cyber combat mission team, co-authored its first offensive cyber operations manual, and rose to Deputy Chief for Cyber Operations at NSA Georgia. He continues to serve as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, where he established its first cyber range squadron. 

In the private sector, Eric co-founded Atlas Cybersecurity, advised defense and enterprise clients as an independent consultant, and led Deloitte’s Advanced Cyber Training portfolio, generating $135M+ in new business. He holds an M.S. in Information Technology Management, a B.S. in Computer Science, and multiple cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, GCIH, CEH).