Last week, at the Space Symposium conference in Colorado, the Israel Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, signed a cooperation agreement in the field of space cyber with the American organization Space ISAC. Space ISAC is a national coordination body that serves as a hub for information security and cyber services for the private and public sectors. It coordinates information and promotes joint ventures between companies in the global space industry and space agencies in order to improve defense capabilities against cyber threats. The agreement, signed by Israel Space Agency Director Uri Oron and Space ISAC Chairman Samuel Wiesner, will enable the advancement of new opportunities in the field of cyber in space, including research and development of technologies.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Gila Gamliel said, "The agreement signed today is further proof of the strengths of science, innovation and the Israeli space industry. Israel's international standing is strong and constantly strengthening. The agreement will improve our ability to deal with threats to space assets and expand our knowledge of space cybersecurity." Israel Space Agency Director Uri Oron added, "The signing of the MoU between the Space Agency and Space ISAC will help make the international space sector safer, and both organizations hope that this milestone will advance international cooperation. We look forward to the opportunities of this collaboration for both organizations as well as for the space industry as a whole."
A dominant player in the global space economy
Space assets are of high economic and security importance and are becoming increasingly critical for various services, such as navigation, communications, and weather forecasting, on which indirect services depend. Alongside the many benefits, the risks inherent in cyber threats are also growing, ranging from disruptions of satellite services, through interception of sensitive information, to the deflection of satellites from their orbit and their decommissioning. The rise in cyber threats to space-technology-based services has led to the growth of cybersecurity in space, and against this background, Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) was established in 2019. The organization's control center, which operates at the Kevin O'Neill Center for Cyber Education and Research at the University of Colorado Springs, reached initial competence in March last year. Its members include industry giants such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, and it has agreements with space agencies around the world.
Following the signing with the Israel Space Agency, Space ISAC Chairman Samuel Wiesner said, "We are excited by the Israel Space Agency's decision to become a partner. Our mission is to strengthen the security and stability of space systems, on which our economic and national security and critical infrastructure rest. Cooperation with international partners who share the same values and interests contributes significantly to the execution of our mission. Israel's impressive technological capabilities, stable space program, and tradition of innovation will make a powerful contribution to Space ISAC's mission. As an emerging player in the global space economy, Israel is an essential partner in the collective efforts for growth and the creation of economic security in a way that reflects the values of our partners."