Why cyber ranges are critical for space domain security

Today, every aspect of the Space Domain—from ground stations to data transport facilities to satellites—faces the same vulnerabilities, namely, cyberattacks. These cyberattacks disable systems vital to national critical infrastructure, national security, and military space domain awareness.

Space assets are equally important to critical infrastructure sectors—such as healthcare, emergency services, financial transactions, and energy and water supply—that rely on space-driven GPS, accurate timing, and data-driven functionality.

Testing communication integrity in space cyber ranges

While cyber ranges allow for testing against both defensive and offensive capabilities, the actual communications themselves must be considered to create network realism. This is especially crucial for space communications.

When combined with the manoeuvrability of satellites, communication becomes difficult to secure, especially considering Space Domain Awareness (where an asset is at any given point, its trajectory, and its likely impact on communication integrity). These challenges combine to create one of the most complex cyber environments.

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The growing concern among military and government officials

In recent years, senior military and government officials have become increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of sovereign and allied space systems. Military forces scattered around the world depend heavily on orbital systems for communications, navigation, reconnaissance, and weather forecasts.

State actors are now developing mechanisms to impair space assets, thereby disrupting national capabilities and undermining economic performance

Emerging cyber threats to space systems

Recent intelligence reports indicate that adversaries are targeting not only satellites but also the ground stations controlling them, the links between satellites and stations, and the ability of users to access services such as the Global Positioning System.

These reports detail various ways space capabilities could be compromised, from electronic jamming to physical attacks on control centres. However, the most likely threat remains cyberattacks, with state adversaries employing hacking, denial of service attacks, and hijacking of space operations systems.

Cyberattacks: the most likely threat to space assets

In addition to state adversaries, criminal elements such as ransomware groups are also eyeing space systems. The variety of potential cyber threats to space systems is steadily increasing, and cyberattacks offer the broadest array of options to bad actors.

The key role of cyber ranges in hardening space defences

The belief within the industry is clear: the best way to excel in cyber defence is through experience in attacking networks. By understanding how to penetrate and compromise systems, organisations can identify their own vulnerabilities.

This is precisely what space cyber ranges enable participants to do. These ranges recreate specific space architectures in great technical detail, allowing testers to simulate and defend against real-world cyberattacks.

Calnex’s commitment to space-focused network emulation

At Calnex, we’ve heavily invested in space-centric network emulation and impairment. Our ability to replicate real-world network conditions, even to the extent of simulating fast-moving objects and highly complex constellations, positions us as a valuable partner in any cyber range initiative focused on securing space assets.

NE-ONE Network Emulator

The NE-ONE Network Emulator enables seamless integration of network realism into cyber range solutions. Its powerful RESTful API allows for on-demand setup, modification, and teardown of training networks, either standalone or alongside automation tools, delivering dynamic, real-world testing environments.

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