NIS Launches Cybersecurity Council to Protect 'Space Assets'

Participation of 20 Ministries and Agencies Including Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Land Management

The government has launched a consultative body to protect our space assets from cyber threats.

On the 4th, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that it has established a 'Security Consultative Body' jointly with related agencies to strengthen cybersecurity for space assets such as satellites.

National Intelligence Service building. [Photo by National Intelligence Service]

The NIS cited recent hacking incidents at the domestic National Satellite Operation Center and cyberattacks targeting the U.S. satellite communication provider Viasat, explaining the background for launching the consultative body by stating, "As domestic and international space cyber threats escalate, the need for cybersecurity of satellites and operational facilities is increasing."

Currently, related agencies perform space-related security tasks individually, but an integrated national response system has not been established. To improve this situation, the NIS revised the 'Space Security Work Regulations' in April this year to provide a basis for responding to space security threats. Furthermore, the NIS explained that the launch of this consultative body is a practical measure taken.

Status of institutions participating in the security council launched by the government to strengthen cybersecurity for space assets such as satellites.
[Photo by National Intelligence Service]

The consultative body includes 20 ministries and agencies such as the NIS, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Space Aviation Agency, Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), planning to establish a cybersecurity management system covering the entire lifecycle of satellites from design, operation to disposal. First, within this year, they aim to complete ▲the establishment of cybersecurity measures for satellite missions and operations ▲the enactment of satellite cybersecurity guidelines, and subsequently prepare a 'mid- to long-term roadmap' containing integrated response plans for space cyber threats.

Yoon Oh-jun, the 3rd Deputy Director of the NIS, stated, "Outer space is rapidly emerging as a new national security domain," adding, "We will build a foundation to protect national space assets from cyber threats through continuous cooperation with related ministries and satellite development and operation organizations."