Space: The Security Frontier
By Russ Warner, VP Marketing & Operations –
Companies and governments are increasingly looking to space for protection from cyber attacks.
If you’re a Star Trek fan, you’ll fondly remember the phrase, “Space: the final frontier.”
These days, this phrase has a new meaning. In the past, space represented the mysterious unknown that curious minds hoped to explore in the future. Today, space represents a new notion: security.
As technology advances, so do criminals. Twenty years ago, threats to cyber security were rare. Now they’re a daily part of life, as evidenced by the recent hacking of U.S. government employee data. With this in mind, companies are now turning to space to protect individuals’ assets.
Which is Safer — the Cloud or Space?
For example, Bitcoin has partnered with Deep Space Industries to put 24 small satellites into orbit. They hope customers will be able to store their Bitcoin encryption keys and key backups in space. Of course, this concept is not just limited to Bitcoin. Dunvegan Space Systems is looking to sell satellites to the government and individuals with high net worth who would like to store their information in a digital safe not located in the cloud, but in space.
The underlying issue, however, is that “space safes” are unregulated. Bitcoin was recently implicated in possible ISIS funding operations. This could mean that NASA may one day be in charge of protecting against money-laundering activities.
Major Players
As technology advances, weaponry also becomes more sophisticated. In 2007, China flexed its weapons’ muscles by destroying one of its own weather satellites. It’s not the only country with that kind of capability. The U.S., Japan, Russia and multiple European countries all have the capacity to target satellites in space. In a special report of the Council on Foreign Relations, space terrorism was mentioned as a growing concern.
Because of these space threats, measures are being taken to ensure security. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is a watchdog for protecting private property in space. However, since the U.N. doesn’t have its own military, there are doubts that it’ll be able to do much to protect property in space.
The U.S. is by far the biggest player in the space market. Approximately 75 percent of global funding going toward space activity comes from the U.S.; 43 percent of space satellites are U.S.-owned. Therefore, the U.S. would likely play a major role in prosecuting space crimes.
Questions Remain
The space market is in its infantile state, and so many questions remain as to matters of legality and security. In the end, those who settle it may make the laws that govern space.
EyeDetect® is a solution that could help keep criminals from committing crimes in space. This lie detection technology may be used to screen those with restricted access to the space safes, thereby helping to ensure that those with access to protected information are trustworthy individuals.
