Defensive Priorities in Securing Space-Based Infrastructure Dependencies

Changes in critical infrastructure deployment and management have pushed assets into remote monitoring and management positions, with many relying on space-based communication systems. The attack surface for critical infrastructure operations has thus changed with space and space-facilitated communication pathways affording adversaries new opportunities for disruptive attacks. Examining known attack scenarios involving space-based communication networks, we can identify four primary trends in adversary operations: emphasis on accessible systems; abuse of legitimate nodes for malicious purposes; compromising remote access or management mechanisms; and emphasizing abuse of legitimate accounts for internal network activity. These identify immediate needs for system owners for defensive hardening and mitigation deployment. However, trend analysis is limited to only a few examples. Critically assessing future space system defensive needs therefore demands that current requirements be blended with future-looking considerations for systems designed for long-term use and reliability.