Information for writing this article has been take from the PhD Thesis work by Antionio Carlo from Tallinn University of Technology. Topic: The Space-Cyber Nexus: Ensuring the Resilience, Security and Defence of Critical Infrastructure. Have a look at the resource here.
Space technologies and critical infrastructure units have undoubtedly become one of the most important aspects of our everyday lives.
National security, defense, communication, and smart grids are just a small list of infrastructures that space-based assets take care of.
However, securing these assets against ever-evolving cyber attacks presents a massive challenge. In this article, we will tell you exactly what concerns cybersecurity in space has and the solutions to overcome them in an effective manner.
Why Is Cybersecurity in Space Important?
The cyber and space domains have been closely interlinked with each other the moment after the very first satellite was launched in space into 1957.
This is because of the simple fact that the space domain has always been an increasingly important sector for the management of Critical Infrastructures (CI) at almost every single level.
Most of the critical infrastructure units heavily depend on satellite systems. This includes financial systems, military communication and defense systems, telecommunications, smart grids, and many other systems that are closely tied to the space infrastructure.
By space infrastructure, we mean ground stations, satellites, and interconnections between them and other terrestrial systems.
However, as cyber threats and attacks have become increasingly sophisticated over time, this kind of interconnection between space infrastructure and CIs has presented new types of challenges that need to be taken seriously.
The logic is simple – the world is becoming more dependent on space systems, which could be vulnerable to ever-evolving cyber attacks.
That’s the biggest reason why cybersecurity is extremely important in the space sector. It is crucial to make sure that space systems and critical infrastructure units are secure and that there are no threats in terms of developing new solutions around them.
What Are the Core Challenges of Cybersecurity in Space?
As both private and public sectors are actively looking to increase their input within the space domain, the number of challenges in this field only continues to grow. Solving these issues is essential for setting more streamlined processes in the future.
Let’s take a look at the most prominent hurdles that need to be overcome to set a more coordinated approach in the future:
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Complexity in Interdependencies Between Systems
The problem with having lots of companies deploying their solutions in the space domain is the interdependencies that their critical infrastructures cause.
These types of dependencies present a challenge for unification, as they are difficult to describe, explain, and measure. This is all due to the system’s interconnection and data exchange, which are important for them to properly function.
However, there are methods to analyze these types of interdependencies, such as introducing a quantitative approach to examine the level of services provided by space systems or by a particular satellite system in proportion to the whole.
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Space Infrastructure’s Vulnerabilities to Cyber Attacks
When it comes to setting a collective approach to govern space systems, a clear problem arises – all of the risks, vulnerabilities, and threats have to be elaborated on and responded to collectively.
Cyber threats and risks continue to evolve at a high speed, and so should the development of setting security processes and solutions.
The most significant risks include malicious cyber activities that are harmful to space operations, such as spoofing sensor data, corrupting sensor systems, jamming or sending unauthorized commands for guidance and control, and injecting malicious code to conduct denial-of-service attacks.
The consequences of successful cyber attacks could potentially include loss of important data, decreased lifespan of certain space systems, and the loss of positive control of space vehicles.
To avoid these types of impactful problems, it is essential to protect space systems from cyber incidents to prevent disruptions and ensure reliability at the highest level.
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Challenges Associated With Regulations and Legal Frameworks
Another massive challenge that the rapid development of space solutions brings is all about properly regulating the industry to address the problem of increased cyber attacks on space assets.
The legal approach to cyberattacks needs to be cohesive. It should respond to all of the different ways that these attacks are conducted. It must also cover a broader spectrum of different types of attacks and intentions to start cyber warfare.
However, as cybersecurity in space is a relatively new topic, it is challenging to find appropriate laws to regulate space activities and minimize attacks on space-based assets.
At the moment, international law is based on preventive security and defense policies, which leave the intelligence services and military bodies to deal with cyber attacks on space objects and critical infrastructure units.
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Collective Approach and International Cooperation
Having smooth cooperation on an international level is a fundamental factor for developing appropriate risk assessment modules that legitimize a comprehensive approach to standards and ensure commitment to sustainable practices.
However, nations are not the only ones who should take part in creating frameworks and have direct involvement in space activities.
It is important to recognize all of the different organizations that are involved in developing and implementing satellite systems so that nations can collectively work on creating a framework that considers the challenges that everyone involved is facing at a particular moment.
This way, the overall approach is more streamlined and organized, increasing the chances to effectively fight against cyber threats and attacks in space.
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Environmental Concerns Around Deploying Space Technologies
When it comes to developing the space industry, it is also important to keep in mind the environmental factor of this equation.
Organizations must think about safeguarding the space environment by preventing and reducing space debris and remains. At the same time, they must limit harmful emissions and protect the biodiversity of space ecosystems.
Another essential factor in this regard is compliance with ethical and scientific standards in space research and exploration.
One example of the effective management of environmental causes is the 2010 UN Guidelines on Orbital Debris Mitigation Measures, which recommend several actions for reducing the risk of collisions in space.
These guidelines include controlling the operational lifespan of satellites and withdrawing them from orbit to end the mission.
What Are the Solutions to Effectively Take Measures and Overcome These Challenges?
As the research shows, it is highly likely that cyber threats and attacks on space-based assets will increase and become even more dangerous over time.
Especially when we look at the growing number of small satellites in space, they tend to be particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. Even more so when Artificial Intelligence is used to attack these systems and gain access to sensitive data.
Effective solutions in this matter are all about increasing the cyber resilience of these systems and improving preparedness for facing such cyber attacks.
That’s exactly where the Space Cyber Range can be extremely useful. It is an end-to-end artificial environment responsible for the following actions:
- Mimicking various space-related environments and potential threats.
- Allowing validation of end-to-end and stand-alone solutions for cybersecurity.
- Being able to facilitate different cyber defense-related events with additional space infrastructure components.
Simply put, Space Cyber Range provides a technology where organizations can play out potential cyber attack simulations and test their team’s and technology’s abilities to defend against those attacks.
As a result, it gives you an in-depth knowledge of potential cybersecurity risks, helps you validate and test solutions to assess readiness, and increases your efficiency along the way.
To learn more about what Cyber Range is and how this technology improves your cyber resilience, have a look at our in-depth guide on this topic.
CybExer Technologies – Leading the Way to Cyber Preparedness
Cybersecurity is an extremely important aspect of developing space solutions and ensuring a smooth experience of deploying them. In order to achieve that, organizations must embrace innovative training solutions like cyber range to ensure preparedness and be ready for potential cyber threats and attacks.
At CybExer Technologies, we have been at the forefront of shaping the cybersecurity industry since 2016. Committed to providing advanced technologies, we help organizations boost their resilience and improve their overall security posture.
If you’d like to learn more about our offering, schedule a call with our cyber range experts to discuss your organization’s needs.
