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Experts propose to implement the zero-trust principle in networks powered by spacecraft.
The space race is imminent, and in this brave new interstellar world, according to experts, the cybersecurity and resiliency (or rather, their absence) of space objects and the global networks that they provide will continue to be the main problems. As global investment in space technology continues to skyrocket, these problems will not go away anytime soon.
“I've seen a change in the past four years that I haven't seen in 36 years,” said Kevin Bell, senior vice president of Space Systems Group at the nonprofit The Aerospace Corporation and former US Air Force pilot Kevin Bell, at an event hosted by consulting firm Booz. Allen Hamilton.
Interest in space, once a limited area that was developed only by the governments of a few countries, is now beginning to be shown by commercial organizations, including the United States and South Korea. A number of companies are exploring space tourism, and one organization recently even announced plans to open the first space hotel in 2027. However, growing commercial ventures in space will complicate military and reconnaissance space operations, experts say.
The space race in the next ten years will lead to the launch of tens of thousands of new vehicles. Many of them will use 5G, which will create a "truly huge" surface for cyberattacks, according to Sam Visner, a technical specialist at MITER Corporation and a former employee of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which specializes in cybersecurity of space networks and assets.
In the past, governments were the sole owners and operators of space assets and networks. And while these systems have proven to be reliable, Wiesner explained, many of them, still in Earth orbit, were largely designed, developed and tested in an era that "predates cyberthreats."
These legacy assets, which are space and terrestrial communications hubs, serve as potential network entry points in the same way as endpoints (eg devices, servers, etc.) in traditional IT networks. Given sufficient time and resources, as well as the necessary capabilities and the right environment, attackers can begin to compromise the network by targeting space objects.
“The architecture of government systems is inherently trusted. If we continue to have these open, trusted links, we will have to constantly fight new threats,” said Kevin Coggins, vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton.
According to Coggins, the space industry should find ways to implement the zero-trust principle, following the example of its implementation in traditional terrestrial IT networks. Wiesner agrees with his colleague's opinion and believes that the United States should consider implementing zero-trust architectures in networks powered by spacecraft. The underlying principle of zero-trust models is to identify and authenticate every user and every node for every connection on the network and block access by default.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies may come to the rescue here in the future, Wiesner said. Thus, AI will be used to detect abnormal activity in networks, which in turn will allow dynamically adjusting the networks themselves and their protection. As networks grow, it becomes more difficult to identify suspicious activity, and AI will be able to cope with this and other tasks.
Another problem is the "highly commercialized" and globalized space supply chain, limiting government visibility and control, Wisner said.
The space race is imminent, and in this brave new interstellar world, according to experts, the cybersecurity and resiliency (or rather, their absence) of space objects and the global networks that they provide will continue to be the main problems. As global investment in space technology continues to skyrocket, these problems will not go away anytime soon.
“I've seen a change in the past four years that I haven't seen in 36 years,” said Kevin Bell, senior vice president of Space Systems Group at the nonprofit The Aerospace Corporation and former US Air Force pilot Kevin Bell, at an event hosted by consulting firm Booz. Allen Hamilton.
Interest in space, once a limited area that was developed only by the governments of a few countries, is now beginning to be shown by commercial organizations, including the United States and South Korea. A number of companies are exploring space tourism, and one organization recently even announced plans to open the first space hotel in 2027. However, growing commercial ventures in space will complicate military and reconnaissance space operations, experts say.
The space race in the next ten years will lead to the launch of tens of thousands of new vehicles. Many of them will use 5G, which will create a "truly huge" surface for cyberattacks, according to Sam Visner, a technical specialist at MITER Corporation and a former employee of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which specializes in cybersecurity of space networks and assets.
In the past, governments were the sole owners and operators of space assets and networks. And while these systems have proven to be reliable, Wiesner explained, many of them, still in Earth orbit, were largely designed, developed and tested in an era that "predates cyberthreats."
These legacy assets, which are space and terrestrial communications hubs, serve as potential network entry points in the same way as endpoints (eg devices, servers, etc.) in traditional IT networks. Given sufficient time and resources, as well as the necessary capabilities and the right environment, attackers can begin to compromise the network by targeting space objects.
“The architecture of government systems is inherently trusted. If we continue to have these open, trusted links, we will have to constantly fight new threats,” said Kevin Coggins, vice president of Booz Allen Hamilton.
According to Coggins, the space industry should find ways to implement the zero-trust principle, following the example of its implementation in traditional terrestrial IT networks. Wiesner agrees with his colleague's opinion and believes that the United States should consider implementing zero-trust architectures in networks powered by spacecraft. The underlying principle of zero-trust models is to identify and authenticate every user and every node for every connection on the network and block access by default.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies may come to the rescue here in the future, Wiesner said. Thus, AI will be used to detect abnormal activity in networks, which in turn will allow dynamically adjusting the networks themselves and their protection. As networks grow, it becomes more difficult to identify suspicious activity, and AI will be able to cope with this and other tasks.
Another problem is the "highly commercialized" and globalized space supply chain, limiting government visibility and control, Wisner said.