The Cybersecurity of Satellites

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act was submitted by a group of representatives from both parties in April 2022. The bill was written by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), and it was introduced to the U.S. by Congressmen Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY) and Tom Malinowski (D-NJ). Representatives House.

“We depend on satellites for everything from driving to work to defending our country, yet our space systems are vulnerable to cyberattack, and the commercial satellite industry has been asking for help to protect Americans against this threat,” said Rep. Malinowski in a statement. “Our bill directs the U.S. government’s primary cyber-defense agency to provide that help.”

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act Needs Resources and Research

In response to recent threats and existing procedures and policies, the congressmen drafted the Satellite Cybersecurity Act. The two key elements are as follows:

• Consolidating resources and best practices. The satellites are owned by various companies, and as a result, their procedures and ideal practices differ. Within 180 days of the law’s passage, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must establish a clearinghouse for commercial system cybersecurity. The act aims to provide more set laws for all satellites by developing a public hub and standard best practices that businesses can adopt if they so want. The tools will also offer network security advice for managing and running the satellites. A few of the resources will also be tailored to small businesses, which have different needs and procedures than enterprises.
• Directs CISA to perform a study on federal government support of commercial satellite industry cybersecurity. The CISA must conduct a study of how the federal government supports commercial satellite systems within two years of the act becoming law. The study must also cover how the government has managed cybersecurity for key infrastructure.

“Commercial satellites are an integral part of our infrastructure network and must be protected from cyberattacks by bad actors that would compromise our national security,” said Sen. Cornyn in a statement.

Risks of Satellite Cyberattacks

The risks and consequences of this kind of attack are demonstrated by an assault carried out through a satellite in February. On a KA-SAT satellite, cybercriminals installed data-erasing malware called Acid Rain. By removing data from routers and modems, this kind of virus renders them unusable. The attack affected thousands of modems in Ukraine and tens of thousands of modems around Europe by aiming for the satellite that provides broadband connectivity to SATCOM modems. Over 5,800 wind turbines in Germany were damaged since the hack rendered the modems useless.

“It’s clear the government must provide more cybersecurity support to small businesses and other companies that own and operate commercial satellites before it’s too late. This bipartisan bill will help ensure these organizations — who often do not have enough resources — are able to protect their own networks,” said Sen.Peters in a statement.

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