Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC has recorded a major milestone in aviation support services after attaining the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System certification, a globally respected standard that validates robust protection of sensitive operational and customer data.
The accomplishment positions the company as the sole aviation ground handling provider in Nigeria to hold the certification and places it among a very limited number of such firms across Africa recognised for meeting the stringent international benchmark.
Industry observers describe the feat as a strong signal of technological maturity and institutional discipline within a sector where digital systems now underpin nearly every operational process.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is widely regarded as the foremost global framework for managing information security risks. It sets out detailed requirements for establishing, maintaining and continually improving structured systems that safeguard data confidentiality, integrity and availability.
For aviation ground handlers, whose daily responsibilities include managing cargo manifests, passenger data, flight documentation and airline communications, compliance with such a standard is considered a strategic necessity rather than a mere credential.
The certification followed a demanding independent audit conducted by an accredited international assessment body. Evaluators examined the company’s internal systems, policies, risk-management architecture and monitoring processes before confirming full compliance with the rigorous requirements.
The assessment process typically involves extensive scrutiny of organisational controls, incident response readiness, access management protocols and data-protection safeguards.
Experts in aviation cybersecurity note that the relevance of such certification has grown sharply in recent years as airlines, airports and logistics providers become more interconnected through digital platforms. This interconnectivity, while improving efficiency, also expands vulnerability to cyber threats.
Consequently, partners across the aviation value chain increasingly insist on internationally recognised information-security assurances before entering operational agreements.
The firm’s management says the achievement reflects years of investment in secure technology infrastructure and workforce awareness programmes.
According to Executive Director Dr Babatunde Afolabi, information protection is embedded across the organisation’s culture rather than confined to its IT department.
He explained that staff members undergo structured training and operate under strict compliance policies designed to ensure constant vigilance against emerging cyber risks.
The certification scope covers key operational divisions, including cargo handling systems, customer information platforms, operational control environments and corporate support units.
Implementation required comprehensive risk analyses, deployment of layered security controls, establishment of business-continuity safeguards and the creation of continuous monitoring frameworks aligned with international best practice.
Beyond its immediate technical significance, analysts say the development strengthens the company’s competitive standing in securing contracts with global airlines, many of which prioritise partners capable of demonstrating world-class compliance credentials.
Such recognition can also enhance trust among regulators and international logistics clients who rely on secure data exchange for seamless operations.
The company already maintains several other industry certifications spanning safety, quality, environmental management and operational standards, reinforcing its profile as a compliance-driven service provider.
With the addition of ISO/IEC 27001:2022, it now joins a select league of global ground handling organisations operating under internationally validated information-security systems.
Aviation stakeholders believe the milestone could have a wider ripple effect across the continent by raising expectations for cybersecurity standards among service providers.
As digital transformation accelerates within the sector, firms that fail to strengthen their data-protection frameworks risk falling behind in a market increasingly defined by technological reliability and trust.
For industry watchers, the certification is more than an institutional achievement; it marks a defining moment for aviation ground handling standards in the region, signalling that world-class compliance and technological resilience are attainable benchmarks within Africa’s evolving aviation ecosystem.
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