Surely this can’t be right – the FAA claims that the 787’s passenger compartment network is connected to the plane’s control systems!

From the Wired story:

The computer network in the Dreamliner’s passenger compartment, designed to give passengers in-flight internet access, is connected to the plane’s control, navigation and communication systems, an FAA report reveals.

The revelation is causing concern in security circles because the physical connection of the networks makes the plane’s control systems vulnerable to hackers. A more secure design would physically separate the two computer networks. Boeing said it’s aware of the issue and has designed a solution it will test shortly.

I find it hard to believe that the network to which passengers are granted access would have any link to the plane’s private control/navigation systems, but, if it is, whoever thought that was a sensible idea needs shooting!