Satellite Cybersecurity Act Introduced in U.S. Congress
The bipartisan Satellite Cybersecurity Act has been introduced in the U.S. Congress. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), would lay out a set of standards and recommendations that the commercial satellite industry can use to protect its networks. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the effectiveness of government efforts to strengthen cybersecurity for the commercial satellite industry, and to identify vulnerabilities that might place critical infrastructure at risk.
“We depend on satellites for everything from driving to work to defending our country, yet our space systems are vulnerable to cyberattack, and the commercial satellite industry has been asking for help to protect Americans against this threat.”
Representative Tom Malinowski (D-NJ).
Commercial satellites provide the service and data used for agriculture operations, financial transactions, energy production, environmental monitoring, internet connectivity, navigation, trade logistics, scientific research, television and telephone service and weather forecasting. Industrial Control Systems – machines that enable critical infrastructure like water plants, electric grids, and transportation networks to function properly – are also deeply dependent on commercial satellite information. Representatives Malinowski and Garbarino’s Satellite Cybersecurity Act helps protect these essential systems from cyberattacks.
Every day, foreign adversaries and international cybercriminals attempt thousands of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure in the U.S. and around the world. On the first day Russia began its war of aggression in Ukraine, the Russian military conducted a successful cyberattack against a commercial satellite company, disrupting communication and internet services for the Ukrainian government, military, and tens of thousands of citizens. The hack also temporarily shut down thousands of wind turbines across Europe – systems reliant on internet modems serviced by the same private sector satellite company.
Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are leading companion legislation in the upper chamber, which recently advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.
“We depend on satellites for everything from driving to work to defending our country, yet our space systems are vulnerable to cyberattack, and the commercial satellite industry has been asking for help to protect Americans against this threat,” said Representative Malinowski. “Our bill directs the U.S. government's primary cyber-defense agency to provide that help."
“Last month, reports indicated Russia was likely responsible for a cyberattack on a U.S. satellite communications provider that disrupted Ukraine’s military communications during a pivotal time in the war. As is the case with most U.S. critical infrastructure, the majority of satellites in orbit are operated by the private sector,” said Representative Garbarino. “The Satellite Cybersecurity Act will enable CISA to fulfill its duty as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Communications Sector and work with private sector owners and operators to mitigate threats to U.S., Ukraine, and other international satellite communication networks.”
The Satellite Security Act and its companion bill in the Senate drew praise from the Satellite Industry Association, a U.S.-based trade association providing representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers.
“SIA strongly supports these bills and applauds their bipartisan House and Senate sponsors. This legislation will help protect satellite systems against cyber-related vulnerabilities, risks and attacks,” said Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association. Given the reliance of our economy and national security on secure satellite services, evolving potential attacks by criminals, terrorists, and nation-states must perpetually be under consideration. SIA applauds the proposed bipartisan legislation and we encourage lawmakers to swiftly pass the Satellite Cybersecurity Act.”
“GeoOptics – a provider of critical satellite climate and weather data -- applauds Representatives Malinowski and Garbarino’s leadership on the Satellite Cybersecurity Act to establish a framework to protect U.S. satellite systems against cyber-related vulnerabilities, risks, and attacks,” said GeoOptics CEO Dr. Alex Saltman. “Creating a clearinghouse for cybersecurity information for commercial satellite operators is a critical first step in this effort. We look forward to working with Congress on this first-of-its-kind legislation and with CISA, DHS, NASA, and NOAA on implementation to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure.”
(Source: Rep. Tom Malinowski news release. Image from file)