**Cybersecurity has become the top risk for independent travel agencies**, surpassing economic uncertainty and AI-driven changes. According to the 2026 Travel Agency Resilience Report by SecureTrust (VikingCloud), 92% of travel agencies in the UK and US experienced a security incident in the last 12 months, and 66% saw sensitive data threatened or compromised. The most common incidents involve theft of customer data: credit card numbers, passports, personal details, and itinerary information. The travel sector is particularly attractive to cybercriminals because it combines personal data with financial transactions. While large groups like TUI and Expedia have in-house cybersecurity teams, independent agencies and small tour operators are the most vulnerable. Lacking human and technical resources, many manage their IT security with limited means. The rise of AI-powered phishing, reliance on third-party systems (GDS, consolidators, payment platforms), and seasonal activity peaks increase their exposure. "SMEs in tourism don't always have the resources to set up dedicated cybersecurity teams, making them easier targets," notes Orange Cyberdefense in its sector analyses. **To counter this threat, the travel market has turned to integrated solutions.** The Orchestra ecosystem, operated by Travelsoft, has become a key booking platform for organized travel (packages, flights, custom tours). Launched in 2005 as a SaaS platform, it centralizes operations to reduce digital exchanges and limit vulnerability points. Security features include: data protection compliant with GDPR, encrypted connections (TLS 1.3), private subnet hosting, data-at-rest encryption, strict access controls, strong authentication, and Single Sign-On (SSO). Centralization also improves anomaly detection through real-time monitoring. For payments, Travelsoft Pay offers fraud prevention, tokenization, and flow orchestration, with Mastercard virtual cards for secure B2B and B2C transactions. **Beyond Orchestra, global distribution systems (GDS) like Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport play a different role.** They provide the global booking infrastructure used by airlines, hotels, and agencies, integrating advanced security: encryption, access control, and real-time transaction monitoring. Amadeus states that "securing data flows is a strategic priority for the entire travel ecosystem." European cybersecurity specialists like Advens (with mySOC) and Orange Cyberdefense offer 24/7 supervision, threat detection, and incident response. In France, ANSSI provides guidance on multi-factor authentication (MFA), regular backups, and employee training, emphasizing that "humans remain the first link in the security chain." **For ATPL and ATC students, this is directly relevant.** As future aviation professionals, you will handle sensitive passenger data (PNR, API, payment info) and rely on interconnected systems (reservation platforms, GDS, airport networks). Understanding cybersecurity principles—such as phishing awareness, MFA, and data encryption—is essential to protect operational integrity and comply with regulations like GDPR. A single breach could ground flights, compromise safety, or lead to severe penalties. This article underscores that cybersecurity is not just an IT issue but a core operational competency for anyone in aviation.