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Securing the Final Frontier

Since Russia’s targeting of Viasat in the opening days of the war in Ukraine, the cybersecurity of space systems has become high on the geopolitical agenda, spurring discussions at the White House, in the European Union, and in capitals around the world. As space-based infrastructure became even more central to modern militaries and economies, it has, as a result, become a prime target.

While only four countries possess antisatellite missiles (United States, Russia, China, and India), cyber-attacks require much less in terms of funds and technological sophistication and can also be launched by nonstate organizations. They are powerful asymmetric weapons that allow an attacker to cover their tracks, leaving the attacked country uncertain about attribution, thus rendering retaliation and deterrence challenging. A fast-growing market has emerged to help companies and governments alike navigate this treacherous landscape.

This masterclass will provide updates on the current state of space governance couched in historical context. It will discuss the war in Ukraine, dubbed by some as “the first space-cyber war,” and analyze the unique challenges posed by securing the final frontier in reference to a new book project with Cambridge University Press.

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