Satellite Security and Post-Quantum-Cryptography

Heiko Radde

Protecting Satellites from Threats: A Post-Quantum Cryptography Field Test

Timeframe: 01/01/1990 – 22/06/2025

France · Conflict Prevention · Issue VII

Key Insights

• Is current satellite cybersecurity sufficient to address emerging threats, especially with rising space reliance? Most commercial satellites still rely on outdated or minimal cybersecurity measures. Many use “security by obscurity,” and standard communication protocols either lack security or use weak static keys. Meanwhile, satellites are becoming critical infrastructure and increasingly targeted in cyber conflicts. Current satellite security is inadequate – it must be strengthened.

Definition

A KEM is a triple of algorithms KEM = (KeyGen, Encaps, Decaps)

Spacecrafts are in essence embedded systems

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