In recent years, space systems have been increasingly targeted by cyberattacks. New commercial satellite constellations, which support a variety of commercial and military services – communications, data transfer, Earth observation, reconnaissance, positioning, navigation and timing – are not spared, and face increasing risks from exposure to sophisticated cyber threats.
Over the next 10 years, nearly 25,000 satellites will be launched into space, generating US$1.2 trillion in retail trade and more than 500,000 petabytes of data. This development illustrates the shift in dependency from terrestrial networks to the space segment and the potential economic and data security risks associated with the vulnerability of these systems.
About this essay
This essay looks at the threat environment and its potential impact, discusses how risks could result from having potentially antagonistic political actors in a common orbital space, and argues that technology enhancement and improved governance could help mitigate these risks.
About the author
Robert Mazzolin is Chief Defence, Security and Technology Strategist at RHEA Group. He is also a retired Canadian Armed Forces Brigadier-General and CIGI Senior Fellow.
Source
This essay is part of Cybersecurity and Outer Space, an essay series by the Canadian Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) that explores space governance. CIGI is an independent, non-partisan think tank whose peer-reviewed research and trusted analysis influence policymakers to innovate.
