The National Security Agency (NSA) along with a number of other parties, has released a new Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), a report that highlights high-level cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies for users of LEO satellite communication systems.

The report is titled “Securing Space: Cyber Security for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications.” The NSA has worked with the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD’s ACSC) in collaboration with the Australian Space Agency on the report. NSA revealed details of the report, March 24.

In the report, the risks and mitigations are detailed through the lens of the space segment comprising the satellites themselves; the ground segment encompassing satellite control centers, ground stations, gateways, and user terminals; the user segment that includes end-user devices, applications, and associated interfaces that connect to LEO satcom services; and the communication links and broader supply chain for LEO satcom systems.

The CSI suggests numerous mitigation strategies for the space segment and legacy space equipment, including implementing tailored security measures, and using frequency-hopping signals, redundant communication paths, and anti-jam antennas. For the ground segment, continuous monitoring and anomaly detection are essential. The report says the user segment should focus on strengthening endpoint security and enforcing secure access practices. The report also provides frameworks for maintaining the resilience of critical networks, while offering valuable insights and guidelines for users to understand their roles and responsibilities in securing LEO satcom systems.

Other agencies co-sealing this CSI are the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), New Zealand National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NZ), and Australian Space Agency.