Satellite networks are integral to myriad aspects of modern society, providing essential services that support both civilian and military operations. As our dependency on satellite networks has increased, so has the risk of cyber threats targeting these critical infrastructures. Any disruption of satellite services can negatively impact everything from emergency response systems to financial transactions to navigation. That makes ensuring the cybersecurity of satellite networks essential to maintaining global stability and security.  

Confronting Satellite Cyber Vulnerabilities

Satellites can be vulnerable to a range of cyber threats like jamming, spoofing and even hacking. Successful attacks prove the risks are not theoretical. For instance, in 2019, a British oil tanker was led into Iranian waters by global positioning system (GPS) spoofing and then captured; in 2022, signal jamming that led to loss of accurate positioning data resulted in the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight. 

In 2008, Chinese state-linked actors hacked Norway’s Svalbard Satellite Station; in late 2023, a Russian cyberattack in Ukraine damaged thousands of computers and servers and the pro-Russian Killnet group hit SpaceX’s Starlink with a denial-of-service attack. Emerging artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are being used by adversaries to find new vulnerabilities and launch more sophisticated cyberattacks.

The consequences are not only disruptive but potentially catastrophic. Even so, securing satellite networks presents unique challenges due to their complex and distributed nature. Legacy satellite systems were not designed with modern cybersecurity measures, and updating them is difficult and costly. Thousands of satellite components are sourced from multiple suppliers, increasing risks from supply chain attacks. Human error or bad intent — the leading cause of successful cyberattacks for any information technology environment — is always a risk. And there are the obvious challenges of protecting assets far away in space from physical tampering or destruction.

Satellite-centric Risks Require Proven Security Strategies 

Specific cybersecurity measures should be implemented to address these unique challenges. A top priority is encrypting sensitive data transmitted between satellites and ground stations to protect it from interception and tampering. Using advanced standards like NSA-grade encryption will ensure the highest level of security. Equally important is segregating satellite network command and control from other corporate or public networks; isolating critical systems will prevent lateral movement of cyber threats from potential attack vectors. Also, implementing strict role-based access and multi-factor authentication control measures will curb insider threats as well as external attacks. And as with ground-based networks, deploying intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity can help identify and mitigate cyber threats in real-time. 

It's also important to address supply chain risks. Carefully vetting suppliers and adopting secure procurement processes will help ensure the integrity of sourced satellite components. Conducting regular audits and compliance checks supports a continuous improvement process that strengthens a satellite network’s overall security posture. 

True Security is a Shared Effort 

Given the global stakes, securing satellite networks also requires international cooperation and collaboration. Sharing threat intelligence and best practices among governments and industry helps protect satellite networks from adversarial cyber threats. Organizations like the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) and the US Space Force Commercial Integration Cell are valuable information sources that also advance cyber threat mitigation strategies.

Adherence to frameworks tailored to satellite systems will also increase resilience. For instance, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Hybrid Satellite Networks (HSN) that provides guidelines for assessing the security posture of satellite systems and their components. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity’s (ENISA) Space Threat Landscape report also outlines a cyber control framework for commercial satellite operators.  Buyers of satellite solutions should always evaluate the frameworks and certifications of the provider’s network.

The Satellite Cyber Future 

Next-generation low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations present both opportunities and challenges. While offering improved performance and resilience, the thousands of existing and planned LEO satellites also introduce many more attack surfaces. That requires innovative security approaches.

An important criterion is for LEO satellite providers to design their systems to one or more of the leading standards from the beginning, since retrofitting security is difficult and risky. For the most rigorous defense, satellites should be built to requirements of the U.S. Space Force Infrastructure Asset Pre-Assessment (IA-PRE) program for commercial satellite communications systems, and incorporate NSA-level hardware-based encryption. Because resilience of ground infrastructure is also critical, having multiple inter-connected satellites and ground nodes eliminates single points of failure and ensures networks stay connected.

Many threats that now exist were not a concern with earlier generation satellites, but with our growing dependence on the next generation, stringent cybersecurity is no longer optional. Satellite-based networks must be treated with the same rigor as terrestrial critical infrastructure. Both commercial and defense entities in the satellite ecosystem need to consider advanced, layered cybersecurity strategies and collaborate internationally to stay ahead of ever-evolving threats.