Satellite Communication Cybersecurity
Abstract
Satellite communications (SatCom) are integral to global telecommunications, navigation, national security, and critical infrastructure. Recent years have shown a sharp rise in cyber-attacks and interference that target space assets, ground infrastructure, and radio links — exposing vulnerabilities across the SatCom ecosystem. This paper reviews the architecture of satellite systems, develops a threat taxonomy, surveys real-world incidents, analyzes technical and organizational vulnerabilities, synthesizes defensive measures (technical, operational, and policy), and proposes research directions and best-practice recommendations. Key references include recent surveys and authoritative guidance such as NIST IR 8270 and industry reports. NIST Publications+2MDPI+2
References
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8. Reuters, Finland detects satellite navigation jamming and spoofing in Baltic Sea, Oct 31, 2024. Reuters
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