Cybersecurity and Outer Space: Learning from Connected Challenges

Abstract

Humanity is increasingly dependent on space assets, as most critical infrastructure relies on space systems. At the same time, space operations are entirely cyberspace dependent, and space systems present a set of unique challenges that make them especially attractive for hackers. Nevertheless, the national regulatory systems for cyber activities are still underdeveloped, and has a consequence there is still a of lack of proposals for the regulation of cyberspace at the international level. When the time comes to embark on this path, there are negotiation processes in other areas that provided important lessons and that allow not to make unnecessary mistakes. Due to the close relationship between activities in space and cyberspace, which present similar challenges and share others, it is important to analyse and learn from the processes of regulating conventional military activities in outer space. One major lesson is that only a soft law instrument will succeed. Another lesson is that the proponents should not overestimate the aggregating power of a soft law instrument. Lastly, the EU has an advantage to take the lead in the establishment of international norms of behaviour in cybersecurity, as the European bloc inherently deals with this issue on an international level.