There’s an urgent need for NATO and its member countries to address the cybersecurity of space-based satellite control systems because they’re vulnerable to cyberattacks – and if left unaddressed, it could have severe consequences for global security, a new paper from a major think tank on international affairs has warned.
Today’s security threats have expanded in scope and seriousness. There can now be millions — or even billions — of dollars at risk when information security isn’t handled properly.
The newly released Cybersecurity of NATO’s Space-based Strategic Assets research paper from Chatham House warns that there’s an urgent need to study and address the cybersecurity of these systems and the challenges which could be posed if a network was breached or otherwise attacked.
Cyberattacks on these systems have the potential to create chaos in an arena that relies on accuracy of data and sometimes split-second decision making. One means of attack the paper details is that of GPS digital spoofing, whereby an attacker intercepts and manipulates data to provide false information to troops and therefore allowing attackers to re-route movements of forces.
“Cyberattacks have the potential to wreak havoc on strategic weapons systems and undermine deterrence by creating uncertainty and confusion,” it warns.
By Danny Palmer
July 2, 2019