TriSept, a launch integration and mission management services specialist, and SpiderOak, a provider of zero-trust cybersecurity solutions for space systems, have formed a strategic partnership, the companies announced in a prepared statement.
The partnership is aimed at providing a comprehensive end-to-end security system capable of keeping critical commercial and government space and ground operations protected from intentional interference and attacks, the companies said.
Cybersecurity Rockets into Orbit
Because of the exponential growth of government and commercial satellites in low earth orbit (LEO), the vulnerabilities grow in lockstep, according to TriSept and SpiderOak. So, to address this growing threat, the Linux-based TriSept Secure Enhanced Layer (TSEL) operating system, together with SpiderOak's OrbitSecure zero-trust protocol, offers satellite security solutions capable of protecting both new space and legacy satellites.
TriSept CEO Rob Spicer explained how TSEL protects spacecraft hardware while OrbitSecure secures the data exchanged between the spacecraft and mission control:
"As the new space economy leads to increasing dependence on spacecraft operations, commercial and government operators need a reliable and robust security solution that effectively protects against growing threats across the ground and space infrastructure supporting a broad range of missions. The partnership between TriSept and SpiderOak leverages our complementary TSEL and OrbitSecure technologies and a shared commitment to safe space operations to deliver a breakthrough in cybersecurity for virtually every mission."
SpiderOak CEO Dave Pearah added:
"SpiderOak is thrilled to partner with TriSept to provide an end-to-end satellite security solution that allows operators to unleash the full potential of their missions and the new space industry with peace of mind. We look forward to empowering commercial and government customers with this revolutionary cybersecurity platform for upcoming missions."
SpiderOak Lands Contract to Defend the “Outernet”
SpiderOak was recently awarded a U.S. Defense Innovation (DIU) contract to deliver its OrbitSecure zero trust protocol in space, MSSP Alert reported on November 2. The project will demonstrate end-to-end cybersecurity for the U.S. Department of Defense’s future Hybrid Space Architecture — an initiative the U.S. Congress has begun referring to as the “outernet.” SpiderOak’s DIU contract is in collaboration with the United States Space Force Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC).
OrbitSecure can significantly reduce the cyberattack surface and the ability of adversaries to jam, disrupt, modify or contest space communications and satellite services, according to SpiderOak. As such, OrbitSecure’s zero-trust software suite supports DIU’s development of a scalable architecture capable of communicating across government and commercial networks.
Designed to take zero trust security to zero gravity environments, OrbitSecure combines no-knowledge encryption and distributed-ledger technology to meet the unique demands of cybersecurity in space. OrbitSecure uses a decentralized key management system, allowing for full availability and continued operations in space despite disconnected or highly contested networks.
