The government has sent out an advisory on cybersecurity threats and best practices for satellite communications saying, with satellites deeply integrated into essential daily operations — from navigation to transaction synchronisation — any disruption can lead to widespread repercussions.
Satellite communications play a crucial role in global connectivity, supporting various sectors such as banking and emergency services, and as the domain of space becomes increasingly crowded, the cyber risks linked to satellite communications (satcom) infrastructure have surged, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) recently said in an advisory.
The development comes at a time, when the country is also preparing to roll-out satcom, especially in the remote areas for providing broadband services, where mobile towers are unable to reach.
Indian telecom giants including Bharti Airtel (Airtel) and Reliance Jio (Jio) and American companies like Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon Kuiper are awaiting government’s green signal to launch their satellite services in India.
Meanwhile, CERT-In in its advisory said that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to automate attacks, analyse large datasets for vulnerabilities, and create very convincing phishing content. “These attacks can bypass conventional security measures and target specific entities, making them difficult to detect and mitigate.”
In a 15-pointer advisory it suggested for implementation of Multifactor Authentication (MFA) that adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verification before granting access. This reduces the risk of unauthorised access to satellite systems, even if login credentials are compromised.
Similarly, it advised firms to ensure that all software and systems used in satellite communications are regularly updated and patched to protect against known vulnerabilities. “Implement an efficient patch management process to quickly address any newly discovered security flaws,” it said.
It also advised for a robust supply chain management to reduce the chance of acquiring and deploying potentially vulnerable products into the satellite communications ecosystem.
For access control and privilege management, it suggested organisations to implement strict access control measures to limit access to sensitive information and satellite systems to authorised personnel only.
Lastly, it suggested to regular training of the employees on cybersecurity best practices, including detecting phishing emails, suspicious phone calls, and other social engineering tactics. “Foster a culture of security awareness to reduce the risk of human error,” it added.
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