Information Protection

Any safeguard for data, information, and related sources that ensures the continuous availability of safety data and information for maintaining or improving aviation safety and restricts their use for other purposes.

Safety Information Protection

Safety Information Protection (SIP) is a critical element of any safety data activity. SIP includes any safeguard for data, information, and related sources that ensures the continuous availability of safety data and safety information for maintaining and improving aviation safety and restricts their use for other purposes.

Key elements of SIP include:

Laws or regulations
Policies
Advance arrangements
Education and training programs
Just Culture environment

Why do we need SIP?

Reporting Works – Wrong runway departure issues discovered in the United States

SIP is Needed – Überlingen crash investigation reveals reporting fears

SIP Works – Air Traffic Control reporting in Denmark soars after SIP implementation

SIP Success – Judge denies request for Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

Information Protection Levels of Intensity

Provided below are the levels of intensity associated with Information Protection. This is not meant to be a linear classification and is only to help States implement SIP. Adoption can occur over, and compliance may overlap among, all categories.

Information Protection Levels of Intensity

            ICAO Compliant
            Advanced Measures
            Industry Leading
            Industry Driving
        
Individuals and organizations are protected against disciplinary, civil, administrative and criminal proceedings, except in case of gross negligence, willful misconduct or criminal intent.

The following types of data shall be protected:

Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – Protecting accident and incident investigation records.

Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Protecting voluntary reports safety data and information through the use of a balancing test between and safety and the need for the proper administration of justice.
  
The protection extends to mandatory safety reporting systems.  In Annex 13, the protection extends to final reports and investigation personnel.

The following types of data shall be protected:

Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – States should cooperate to determine the limitations on disclosure or use that will apply to information.

Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – States should adjust their applicable laws, regulations, and policies and make appropriate advance arrangements.

Further protection mechanisms may be in place to implement a Just Culture and a Reporting Culture. 

The following types of data shall be protected:

Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – Different competent authorities may be designated.  Separate balancing tests may be used.

Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Education and training of judges to raise awareness of the importance of SIP.

Protection is formalized at the highest level between countries through MoUs or similar agreements.

Future methods to protect safety data and information may include:

Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – MoUs or similar arrangements between civil aviation authorities, safety investigators, and prosecutors’ offices.

Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Implementation and training on Just Culture and safety information protection at the global and regional levels.  Cooperation between countries’ competent authorities.

ICAO Compliant	Advanced Measures	Industry Leading	Industry Driving
Individuals and organizations are protected against disciplinary, civil, administrative and criminal proceedings, except in case of gross negligence, willful misconduct or criminal intent. The following types of data shall be protected: Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – Protecting accident and incident investigation records. Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Protecting voluntary reports safety data and information through the use of a balancing test between and safety and the need for the proper administration of justice.	The protection extends to mandatory safety reporting systems. In Annex 13, the protection extends to final reports and investigation personnel. The following types of data shall be protected: Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – States should cooperate to determine the limitations on disclosure or use that will apply to information. Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – States should adjust their applicable laws, regulations, and policies and make appropriate advance arrangements.	Further protection mechanisms may be in place to implement a Just Culture and a Reporting Culture. The following types of data shall be protected: Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – Different competent authorities may be designated. Separate balancing tests may be used. Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Education and training of judges to raise awareness of the importance of SIP.	Protection is formalized at the highest level between countries through MoUs or similar agreements. Future methods to protect safety data and information may include: Public Safety Data (Annex 13) – MoUs or similar arrangements between civil aviation authorities, safety investigators, and prosecutors’ offices. Reportable Occurrences (Annex 19) – Implementation and training on Just Culture and safety information protection at the global and regional levels. Cooperation between countries’ competent authorities.

Feedback Requested

The Flight Safety Foundation requests your feedback will help us achieve one of the core objectives of GSIP – improve the sharing and harmonization of information. All aviation safety stakeholders are invited to submit toolkit feedback via either the link below or by adding a comment to this page. All feedback will be reviewed by the GSIP team to improve the overall quality of the product.