Sejong, South Korea―Quantum satellites, representing the next generation of space systems, must adopt measures to counter innovative threats, according to a quantum cryptography expert who spoke on Wednesday.
Ayesha Khalid, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Secure Information Technologies at Queen’s University Belfast, presented a security solution for satellites against quantum-based threats at the 2024 HackTheon Joint Conference in Sejong, South Korea.
The lecturer emphasized that much of the national infrastructure depends on space systems. For example, satellites become particularly crucial when the ground station network is unavailable due to natural disasters or war.
To protect nations during crises, space systems need a lifespan of 5 to 10 years longer than electronic systems on the ground. As of 2022, more than 5,000 satellites orbit the Earth, with most using low Earth orbit (LEO) because its proximity to Earth allows for low latency and almost real-time communication.
Although a significant amount of sensitive information is communicated through quantum cryptography in satellites, the rapid advancement of quantum computing technology has made it possible to break encryption algorithms.
Khalid cautioned that space systems are vulnerable to cyber threats like quantum-based attacks or hacking, which could potentially damage satellites and compromise confidential communications between satellites and ground stations.
Khalid pointed out that this is why post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is necessary for satellite communications. PQC is a technology designed to prevent quantum computing from easily decrypting communicated information.
“The successful breach of space systems poses a high cost and high impact, leaving national assets vulnerable,” said the expert. “Therefore, to deter potential attacks and enhance our resilience, the next-generation space systems should prioritize installing PQC,” Khalid emphasized.
Khalid and her research organization have developed Secure Quantum Resilient Satellites (SEQURE-SAT), which integrates this technique. SEQURE-SAT features a satellite onboard processor that enhances the security of quantum communication between satellites and their ground stations. Using PQC, the hardware functions as the central control unit of the satellites, managing their operations.
According to the expert, SEQURE-SAT offers the advantage of low cost combined with high performance, making it a sustainable security solution for an extended period of time.
The expert is expanding her research in different areas. “Our team is exploring how to enable security features, such as intrusion detection, in space systems,” Khalid added.
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Sejong, South Korea― A local cybersecurity event that emerged from humble origins three years ago in a South Korean city has grown into an international gathering, welcoming over 1,300 college students from around the world as participants.
HackTheon Sejong is an annual conference hosted by Sejong City, located two hours’ drive from central Seoul and serving as the de facto administrative capital of South Korea. The city houses 23 central administrative agencies, 22 affiliated organizations, and several dozen public institutions.
The event’s name, HackTheon, combines ‘hacker’ and ‘pantheon,’ referencing an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the gods, which aligns with the city’s vision of gathering the world’s top cybersecurity talents in Sejong. College students participate in a jeopardy-style Capture-The-Flag (CTF) competition, showcasing their skills to answer questions and achieve the highest score among the 40 teams that reach the final round. These teams gathered at the Government Complex Sejong Convention Center from eight countries, totaling 146 participants. READ MORE
