Space ISAC initiates Phase II planning to strengthen global space threat monitoring

Space ISAC initiates Phase II planning to strengthen global space threat monitoring
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 26, 2024

The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) has announced the commencement of Phase II planning for its Operational Watch Center, an initiative that aims to enhance the industry's ability to monitor and respond to the increasing threats to global space systems. This development is being funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The key focus of Phase II is the creation of a Cyber Space Data Fusion Cell, which will integrate advanced datasets and leverage AI/ML technologies to bolster the existing Watch Center's capabilities. Space ISAC's Watch Center serves as a critical tool for its members, enabling them to track and analyze threats to space systems, with a special focus on protecting vital infrastructure. The data fusion tools being developed will allow analysts to monitor activities both in space and on the ground, facilitating a multi-phenomenology analysis of various threats. This new phase is seen as a vital step in addressing the growing vulnerabilities of a sector that impacts billions globally.

Launched in Q1 2023, the Watch Center already hosts analysts from Space ISAC's Founding and Platinum Member companies, along with representatives from the U.S. government. These experts work either on-site or remotely to ensure around-the-clock monitoring of space threats. Several agencies, including NSA, U.S. Space Command, and international entities such as the Italian and French space agencies, have expressed significant interest in the project.

In addition to U.S. Space Command personnel, the Watch Center benefits from contributions by analysts and fellows from companies like Deloitte, Peraton, Lockheed Martin, and various academic institutions. Government liaisons, including representatives from the FBI, DHS CISA, and the U.S. Space Force, are also deeply involved.

Space ISAC Executive Director Erin Miller emphasized the importance of Phase II, stating, "This grant will enable Space ISAC to progress to Phase II which will introduce a variety of new capabilities to the Space ISAC, involving the following topics: truth data for space weather; multi-orbit interference and on-orbit attacks; supply chain risk management and nation-state actors; ground infrastructure security; anonymized machine-to-machine threat sharing for space; and cyber threat analysis as a service."

Scott Giles, Account Executive - DoD Space at Microsoft, expressed Microsoft's continued commitment to the project: "Microsoft is proud to continue our Founding Membership with Space ISAC to build Watch Center Phase 2 information sharing capabilities using Microsoft Azure Services and AI/ML data science tools. This scalable solution will propel Space ISAC into the next phase with accessible infrastructure to meet the needs of threat and intelligence sharing for the global space community."