At the Satellite 2025 conference, experts discussed the increasing cybersecurity threats facing satellite networks. Nicholas Goddard, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command operations director, revealed that his organization handles “anywhere from 8.4 to 8.6 billion events every 24 hours.” He emphasized the difficulty of sharing this threat information effectively with the commercial sector. “Sharing that information with the commercial industry is a problem,” Goddard stated.
Goddard highlighted the importance of robust system administration and corporate support, stating, “When it comes to nation-state threat actors, the best defense is a really good system administrator, backed by corporate leadership that supports them.” He stressed the need for updated equipment and software, advising, “The number one thing to do to defend against some of these threats is have new stuff and constantly update your software.” He even suggested, “Go to Best Buy after this week and buy a new router.”
The threat extends beyond simple cyberattacks. Adversaries may gain access through the supply chain, as In-Q-Tel partner Gareth Keane noted: “It’s frightening to me how many single points of failure there are for anything that you build, which is complex. Cyber intrusion into that supply chain has happened all the way along.” Furthermore, Troy Brashear, Northrop Grumman Satellite Missions vice president, pointed out the dangers of laser and radio frequency jamming attacks, which have increased since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. “We’re trying to understand the threats, mitigate and potentially counter them,” Brashear said.
Lisa Henke, Maxar Intelligence chief of technology and innovation for the U.S. Government, underscored the growing need for space situational awareness. With the proliferation of satellites, she stated, “understanding what is normal, having awareness of what is happening and being able to characterize those threats is going to be critically important.”