"NIST Finalizes Cybersecurity Guidance for Ground Segment of Space Operations"

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently published the final version of its guidance on applying the Cybersecurity Framework to the ground segment of space operations, specifically satellite command and control.  NIST’s widely used Cybersecurity Framework consists of standards, guidelines, and practices for protecting critical infrastructure.  This voluntary framework is designed to help organizations manage their cybersecurity risks.  NIST noted that the NIST Interagency Report (IR) 8401 aims to apply the Cybersecurity Framework to satellite command and control, creating a profile for the space sector’s ground segment in an effort to help stakeholders manage risk.  The goal of the profile is to complement existing security measures in an organization.  NIST noted that the new guidance comes in response to the US government viewing space as an increasingly important element of critical infrastructure.  NIST stated that a loss or degradation of space services could significantly impact the security and economic well-being of the United States.  The agency pointed out that the guidance focuses on the ground segment of space operations because it may be impractical to implement some cybersecurity controls on the satellite itself due to size, weight, and power constraints.  NIST noted that the new Cybersecurity Framework profile can help organizations that own or operate space systems identify systems and processes related to the command and control of space vehicle buses and payloads, identify threats, protect systems, detect loss of confidentiality, integrity or availability, respond to incidents, and quickly recover from anomalies.  The profile focuses on two major components: the mission operations center (MOC), which issues commands to a satellite control data handling platform and receives telemetry from the space vehicle’s bus, and the payload control center, which communicates with both the MOC and the satellite.  The NIST guidance also details each of the five core functions of the Cybersecurity Framework: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover.  The complete document, titled “Satellite Ground Segment: Applying the Cybersecurity Framework to Satellite Command and Control,” is available on NIST’s website in PDF format.

SecurityWeek reports: "NIST Finalizes Cybersecurity Guidance for Ground Segment of Space Operations"