Best Practices for Protection of Commercial Satellite Communications Infrastructure

Abstract

Commercial satellite systems play an increasingly important role in supporting U.S. and coalition concepts for network-centric warfare. This dependency also increases the possibility of a hostile attack on privately owned and operated satellite communications (SATCOM) networks. To address these potential threats, the National Security Space Office conducted a comprehensive survey of current approaches utilized by commercial operators and integrators to protect SATCOM networks against electronic, physical and cyber attacks. This survey identified a set of “best practices” for information sharing and analysis as well as responses to intentional jamming, physical attacks, cyber/network threats and other hazards. These “best practices” can form the basis for new incentives in U.S. Department of Defense contracts for commercial SATCOM services. These practices also can form the basis for improved public-private and coalition collaborations for preparing and responding to a full spectrum of hazards.