"Congress Wants to Study the Cybersecurity of Satellites"

A bipartisan group of congressmen introduced the Satellite Cybersecurity Act in April 2022. The US relies on satellites for driving, defending the country, and more, but space systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks. The commercial satellite industry has asked for assistance in protecting Americans from this threat, according to a statement from Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-NJ). The bill directs the primary cyber defense agency of the US to provide that assistance. The Satellite Cybersecurity Act was created in response to recent threats as well as current processes and measures. The bill's two main components are consolidating resources and best practices, and directing the Homeland Security Department's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to conduct a study on federal government support of commercial satellite industry cybersecurity. An attack carried out via satellite in February highlights the risks and impact of this type of attack. Acid Rain, a data wiper malware, was installed on a KA-SAT satellite by cybercriminals. This malware erases data from routers and modems, rendering them inoperable. The attack impacted thousands of modems in Ukraine and tens of thousands more in Europe by targeting the satellite that provided broadband service to SATCOM modems. The damage spread to over 5,800 wind turbines in Germany because the attack rendered the modems inoperable. This article continues to discuss the Satellite Cybersecurity Act and the importance of reducing the risks of satellite cyberattacks. 

Security Intelligence reports "Congress Wants to Study the Cybersecurity of Satellites"