Space systems as the weakest link

Abstract

Although it is widely believed that the space sector is one of the pillars of national security, in practice cosmic systems exist somewhat outside the area of critical infrastructure’s discussion. Cybersecurity of space systems does not differ significantly from industrial cybersecurity, however, the uniqueness of the sector and space technologies means that its vulnerability to digital incidents depends on a number of factors that does not occur anywhere else. The purpose of the article is to defend the thesis that space systems are the weakest link in critical infrastructure systems, because the level of their cybersecurity is still disproportionate to the level of their technological advancement.