Cyberspace is now an important field that has far-reaching consequences for international security, development, and diplomacy. This has been highlighted by the increasing instances of own and stored cyberspace threats aimed at Nations’ space assets as the global competition on global space real estate intensifies between Nations and private participants. Space diplomacy, or the application of diplomacy on activities in outer space, is ever proactive today in the resolution of the cybersecurity threats that jeopardized the stability of outer space activities.

Cybersecurity risks to satellites threaten critical global infrastructure, from military operations to economic networks.

The reckless increase of satellites, space stations and other space entities clearly outline the need to have a well-protected and properly coordinated system for space activism. Satellites of modern age serve as critical components of the infrastructure that enables the world with telecommunications, navigation, weather prediction, and protection.

However, these assets are preys to cyber risks occurrences that can compromise and alter services or data, or even incapacitate systems unreservedly. For instance, any disruption of a satellite’s command and telecommunication networks might spell doom for military operations or global economic network.

Cognizance of these threats, countries are gradually including cybersecurity into their space diplomacy policies. What has been observed is that there is need for the formulation of norms and agreements at the international level to avoid cyber conflicts in space and strengthen space based infrastructure. Although there are current international treaties, like the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, that address issues central to the space environment, specific to the cyber domain, there are no such provisions. Such a gap mandates adopting a new approach that incorporates cybersecurity into the governance of space.

Another consideration is dual-use inherent in space technologies, which is one of the major difficulties in the given activity. Since many satellites together with other space systems can have civil and military applications, it is difficult to distinguish between peaceful use and warfare potential. This situation renders the development of broad cybersecurity standards extremely challenging. For instance, the defense technologies meant to sustain communication satellite technologies can be adapted for cyber-attacks.

Further, since more commercial organizations are participating in space exploration and satellite deployment, the field of space cybersecurity is even more complicated. Space technology businesses including SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon are already launching mega-constellations of satellites that will change the world of connectivity, at the same time opening up new risks. Some of these firms are conduct cross-border businesses and may or may not align themselves to traditional government space agencies. Therefore, cooperation on the global arena is crucial to set the constant standard as well as regulate all the related participants’ actions.

Space diplomacy can bridge gaps in international norms, addressing cyber conflicts and enhancing space asset protection.

To this regard, the concept of space diplomacy can serve as an effective tool to develop not only the multilateral cooperation but also the necessary measures, which are based on the principles of trust and openness. The first promising path is the creation of the ISPCS, the International Space Cybersecurity Partnership, an organization that will define the principles for the protection of space resources. Such framework may contain guidelines touching on areas like information flow, incidents and on the creation of secure technologies.

For instance, a global agreement aimed at space cybersecurity might establish rules that demand publicity of satellite activities and in specific detail this can mean that the parties are expected to report their cybersecurity policies. More of such transparency would not only mitigate malign actors’ actions but also enhance confidence among spacefarer states.

Moreover, space diplomacy means can use and extend the existing international organizations to solve such threats as cybersecurity. UNOOSA and ITU are in a good standing to advance dialogue on the context of the working definition of cybersecurity norms and standards for use in space.

Professionals can also coordinate these organizations to be the middlemen that facilitate the apparent compromises whereby the interests of the conflicting parties may be harmonized to achieve a common goal. This dispositions can be supplemented by cooperation in other fields, including international cybersecurity and related simulation exercises.

Another important area of space diplomacy is the issue of the attribution challenge in cyber space. The culprits behind cyber-attacks on space assets are often unknown, since malicious actors hardly leave any trace behind and take full advantage of the fact that the cyber world is a rather anonymous space.

Therefore, space diplomacy should focus on adaptation of mechanisms for attribution that would involve both technical approach and diplomatic processes. This could have entailed the formation of an organization responsible for addressing attribution of cyber incidents affecting space and help reduce conflicts while dealing with offenders.

The dual-use nature of space technologies complicates global cybersecurity standards, demanding multilateral cooperation.

Technological prospects can also be found in the Area Diplomacy involving Space and cybersecurity fields. Multi-partnered industrial, academic and governmental efforts can foster the proper R&D efforts in order to design and develop sufficiently robust cybersecurity that will allow space systems to safely operate in the modern world.

For instance, quantum cryptography can be used to improve security of satellite communications and artificial intelligence to detect threats in real-time. Through the advancement of these modern technologies, countries may not only protect their space assets but also promote further security of the international information environment.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.