Space Domain Cybersecurity

Space Domain Cybersecurity examines the practical issues of developing and sustaining a secure cyber environment through all phases of the space mission lifecycle. The course is organized around the Space Domain Cybersecurity (SpaDoCs) Framework. The SpaDoCs Framework provides a comprehensive and systematic model for understanding and tackling all critical issues of cybersecurity in the space domain. An examination of the Key Objectives—confidentiality, integrity, availability—provides the foundation for the course. From there, the space domain is examined layer by layer starting from the enterprise layer, then drilling down through mission, system and DevSecOps layers. Threats and vulnerabilities at each layer are highlighted. Finally, first principles of cybersecurity are discussed (domain separation, process isolation, and others) as well as key enablers (such as vision and strategy) to help frame plans for action to address the cybersecurity issues exposed by this course. Course exercises center around practical application of the material to real-world space mission scenarios.

Course Objectives:
At the end of this course you should be able to…

Space Domain Cybersecurity Fundamentals

Describe the big picture challenges of cybersecurity in the space domain as organized in the Space Domain Cybersecurity (SpaDoCs) Framework
List and define key objectives of cybersecurity (CIA Triad), the first principles of secure systems, along with cybersecurity enablers
Identify cyber threats to and vulnerabilities of space missions and systems
Characterize the various layers of the space domain and the elements that comprise them

Cybersecurity Principles

Apply cybersecurity first principles to specific space domain threats and vulnerabilities
Associate specific cybersecurity enablers with various space domain threat or vulnerability scenarios