Secure connectivity is a top concern

As space technology becomes part of daily life, technology and digital acceleration are of increasing concern. Supply chain reconfiguration is also top of mind as supply chain disruptions pose challenges in this industry. At the same time, satellite data can help other industries optimize their supply chains by improving shipping routes, for example. Climate change is a key focus, and space data enables many solutions to advance environmental sustainability.

Space executives see cybersecurity as their top industry concern since connectivity demands are rising, and more connected devices mean greater complexity and a larger attack surface to manage. Data analytics and big data continue as the top business priority, along with assuring regulatory compliance. 

View key findings from our conversations with space executives in 2022 below, and download the report.

For more insights on macro trends, including social demographics, climate change, deglobalization, technology acceleration and supply chain reconfiguration, read our summary.

Top trends and priorities

Top macro trends
  1. Technology and digital acceleration, notably rising customer and citizen digital expectations
  2. Reconfiguration of supply chains to reduce risk and increase resiliency
  3. Climate change, including the energy transition and the acceleration toward de-carbonization
Top industry trends
  1. Protecting through cybersecurity
  2. Assuring regulatory compliance
  3. IT modernization and cloud solutions
Top business priorities
  1. Data analytics and big data
  2. Becoming digital organizations to meet customer expectations
  3. Reprioritize spend on priorities
Top IT priorities
  1. Protecting through cybersecurity
  2. Embracing new IT delivery models (e.g., SaaS and PaaS, agile)
  3. IT modernization, data center consolidation, cloud

100%
see cybersecurity as the top industry trend
88%
cite assuring regulatory compliance as an impactful trend
83%
say analytics and big data is the top business priority

Digital maturity progress 

Among the 50% of space executives who report being operational with and achieving expected results from their digital strategies, some common attributes emerge. The table compares responses to questions from these executives compared to those who are still building or launching digital strategies.

Digital maturity attributes

Operational strategy or 
achieving results

Building or launching  strategy

Have highly agile business models 38% 13%
See sustainability as core to creating value for customers 50% 41%
Produce results from cyber strategies 100% 88%