AwaitingLaunch_1397728623369

Cyber Threats to Space Systems
Christian Olarean
Internet has gone through fundamental changes over the last 20 years. Since
the 1990s, it has influenced various domains including trade, health,
commerce, social media, and governance. Yet, how cyber space will develop
remains unclear, especially in relation to threats, which impact space systems.
Still, when it comes to a joint vision, many different views and uncertainties
are visible in different definitions of cyber space, in different understandings
of using cyber space. These differences beg the question as to whether a
Code of Conduct for space activities is needed and what might be done
further to mitigate the threats which impact space systems?
Why Cyber in Space Security?
There are at least four reasons why the international community should care
about cyber security and space security. First, when policy makers from
different countries are talking about this topic, they are wondering if this is
really a big or real issue or if this is just something over advertised by the
media. These individuals should be thinking about the challenges they will
soon face. From an economic point of view, at the micro level, every one of
us should care about our own cyber security; and at the macro level, our
governments should be highly concerned about this issue. Moreover, with
the current allegation of espionage by foreign intelligence agencies, such as
digital industrial espionage, we need to extend our concerns on space
systems, with regard, in particular, to companies which are capable of
producing components incorporated in commercial satellites, which could be
manipulated and used to extract or filter information with cyber tools.
From an economic
point of view, at the
micro level, every one
of us should care
about our own cyber
security; and at the
macro level, our
governments should
be highly concerned
about this issue.
Moreover, with the
current allegation of
espionage by foreign
intelligence agencies,
such as digital
industrial espionage,
we need to extend our
concerns on space
systems, with regard,
in particular, to
companies which are
capable of producing
components
incorporated in
commercial satellites,
which could be
manipulated and
used to extract or filter
information with cyber
tools.
Cyber Threats to Space Systems | www.orfonline.org 101