Space Cyber Defense: An Adaptive, Proactive Approach

Advanced protection strategies begin with open frameworks, the foundation of flexible systems. 

Open Systems Architecture

Migrating to open systems architecture provides an entry point for next-generation engineering at the intersection of cybersecurity and space security. Through open standards and reusable components, open frameworks allow organizations to:  

• Modernize legacy systems effectively
• Build security into new data platforms efficiently
• Establish continuous innovation while owning the technical baseline

IT/OT Best Practices

As a blend of IT and OT, space systems need cyber protections similar to that of industrial control systems and other operational technology—for example, automated processes. They need safeguards mandated for all government IT systems, such as:

• Zero-trust architectures
• Secure cloud environments with continuous monitoring
• Interoperability over simplified networks

As adversaries develop new methods of attack, we invent new ways to protect. Here are some concepts we’re taking to cyber’s leading edge.

Space Cyber Test Range

Our PNT teams are working to create a simulated ecosystem depicting space assets in orbit. A digital twin can then be linked to a that system’s physical ground station and operations center or digital representations of those elements. This will accelerate threat detection and mitigation across the system lifecycle.

AI at the Edge

Advances in analytics and cloud capabilities enable AI to play an increasing role.

• AI can be applied at multiple points—to add insights during data ingestion, analysis, and dissemination.
• Applied at the edge, close to the device, AI enables immediate insights.

For example, “Ground stations can be upgraded to act as a smart sensor, ingesting and analyzing data as it streams in rather than sending low-level metrics to a data lake,” Brad says. 

Smart systems will advance the mission as well as protect it. “With AI at the point of the sensor, you can know you’re getting a valid signal. That would allow decisions to be made at the speed of the data—a major goal for JADC2,” he points out.

Integrating Systems Engineering, Cyber, and MBSE

“Traditional systems engineers envision separate tracks for systems engineering, MBSE, and cybersecurity. We integrate it all,” says Steve Bolish, a cyber director in our Colorado Springs office. 

“Clients get an ‘aha!’ moment when we point out that the same documents can be used for all three tracks.” Conducting the activities concurrently delivers advantages such as:

• The digital model can be tested along with the built system.
• Threat analysis can be run earlier.
• Fewer documents are required.
• Development timelines are shortened.

“Creating a parallel path for systems integration, cyber, and MBSE truly gives the client a build that’s faster, cheaper, and better,” Steve says.