Most of us like satellites. They power our televisions. Allow us to find our way home from anywhere on the planet.
They keep us connected to our loved ones, and they do it all from space. Floating in low orbit, these silent sentinels provide so much of the infrastructure for our modern lives.
And they do this invisibly. When was the last time you saw a satellite? Or even thought about one? Right. It doesn’t come up much. And yet these invisible assets have the potential to give with one hand and take with the other, creating major cyber security risks.
Satellite Overview
Satellites form networks by communicating with each other and ground stations on Earth. They’re essentially high-tech relay stations positioned miles above us. These networks transmit everything from TV signals to GPS coordinates to internet data. Modern satellite networks can include thousands of individual satellites working together. Starlink, for example, has over 7,000 satellites orbiting Earth.
The risks come from how these networks operate. Each satellite is basically a computer in space – with software that can be hacked. The signals traveling between satellites and Earth can be intercepted or jammed. And because satellites are hard to physically access once launched, fixing security flaws becomes extremely difficult. A compromised satellite could potentially spy on communications, disrupt critical services, or even be used to attack other satellites.
This invisible infrastructure surrounds us every day. Weather forecasts, military communications, financial transactions, and emergency services all rely on satellite networks. Yet most of us never think about their security until something goes wrong. As we become more dependent on these space-based systems, protecting them becomes increasingly important for our daily lives and national security.
What Could Happen
So how bad could this get? A doomsday scenario would involve the total disruption of services. Everything you trust your satellite for, immediately out the window. That’s GPS support. Cell service. TV signals. It’s also weather forecasts.
The impact would be hard to fully conceptualize. On the one hand, we existed as a species without satellites for most of human history. On the other hand, we’ve really come to depend on them. This James Bond-like scenario really isn’t likely.
The group perpetrating this level of attack would need almost unimaginable resources, and a willingness to face incredible repercussions. An enemy nation engaging in this type of attack would most likely be initiating a war scenario.
Smaller breaches are more likely. This involves compromised consumer data. Maybe very short-term disruptions of service. It’s the sort of thing you hear about, and dislike, without really feeling the impact personally. On par with any other data breach. Marriott mishandled my information. Oh no! But how does it actually impact your life?
Understand, of course, that the security community already understands these risks. This might all be new information to you, but it’s not new information. Encryption technology is constantly developing alongside the risk of new threats. Occasionally, a threat will outpace our ability to catch it. For the most part though, satellites keep doing their good work without interruption.
How Worried Should You Be?
Satellite networks face real cyber threats today. Hackers can target satellites to steal data or disrupt services. This affects everything from phone calls to GPS. It is a threat that our national government takes seriously.
A concern for nations all over the world. Modern satellites have better security, but many older ones remain vulnerable. Attacks could impact military communications, weather forecasting, and internet access. However, space agencies and companies are working hard to strengthen defenses.
Do you ever read about a security breach and think something like “Oh no! None of us are safe in the digital age.” This followed by the thought, “But in what way does this story actually affect me?” Right. Because there are thousands of people working tirelessly all over the world to make sure that it doesn’t.
The laws are antiquated, sure. International space law doesn’t fully address cyber attacks on satellites. The UN Outer Space Treaty from 1967 wasn’t written with cyber threats in mind. Some countries have their own laws with penalties for satellite hacking. But enforcement across borders remains difficult.
Government-backed attacks pose a special risk. Nations might use satellite hacking for espionage or during conflicts. Bad actors will act badly.
That doesn’t mean you should lose sleep over the problem of satellite technology. At the time of writing, Spring is upon us. Enjoy the warmer weather. Maybe start thinking about exciting events. The Master’s. Horse racing. Review past Kentucky Derby winners to make future predictions.
If you’re going to look up, do it to enjoy a beautiful blue sky, or maybe admire the stars. Let the pros worry about satellite networks.
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