US diplomacy highlights importance of cybersecurity for outer space

The United States Department framework for space diplomacy has stressed cybersecurity as key for protection of the US interests in space.

The digital lines across the federal government, civil agencies, defence, intelligence, and private industry are increasingly connected, and the U.S. State Department released its Strategic Framework for Space Diplomacy, highlighting the importance of cybersecurity in space diplomacy.

Implemented by the Biden administration, this action is intended to strengthen the security of space equipment from cyberattacks, as China and Russia are key competitors to the United States in space.

Plenty of cyberattacks have already taken place, including a Russian attack on a satellite broadband service during the Ukraine invasion

Moreover, the annual threat assessment by the U.S. intelligence community and documents leaked on Discord have shown that China is reportedly developing hacking tools to take over satellites amid wars.

The White House is also meant to add outer space to critical infrastructure by rewriting a 2013 directive as The Strategic Framework for Space Diplomacy puts more attention on cooperation with industry on cybersecurity in outer space. This stresses the urgency of the situation.

Main Image: Forbes