UK space cyber security: Why stronger collaboration is essential for national resilience

The UK's dependence on space infrastructure continues to grow.

Satellite communications, positioning, navigation and timing services underpin everything from transportation and financial services to defence, emergency response and critical national infrastructure. As space becomes increasingly integrated into our economy and society, securing these systems is no longer solely a space-sector challenge. It is a national resilience priority.

Recent attacks on space-enabled services have highlighted how vulnerabilities in one part of the ecosystem can have consequences far beyond the space domain. The question facing industry, government and academia is not whether threats will continue to evolve, but whether we are collaborating effectively enough to stay ahead of them.

That question has been at the centre of the CySpace Connected Capability Network (CCN), a UK-wide initiative bringing together cyber and space communities to strengthen the resilience of the UK's space sector. Over the past 12 months, the programme has mapped capabilities, identified barriers and developed practical recommendations to help improve space-cyber security across the UK. CGI has been proud to contribute as a member of the programme's cross-sector working group.

Why space cyber security matters beyond the space sector

The UK space sector plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, national security and public services.

Many organisations rely on space-based capabilities without necessarily recognising their dependence on them. Navigation services support logistics and transport networks. Satellite communications connect remote locations and critical operations. Timing signals underpin financial transactions and telecommunications networks.

As a result, cyber threats targeting space infrastructure can create disruption across multiple sectors simultaneously.

The increasing sophistication of cyber threats, combined with the complexity of the space ecosystem, means that resilience cannot be achieved by individual organisations working in isolation. It requires a coordinated approach that connects expertise across government, industry and academia.

The challenge: Connecting a fragmented landscape

The CySpace Connected Capability Network (CCN) was established to address this challenge.

Funded by Satellite Applications Catapult, CySpace CCN brings together more than 300 members from across the UK's cyber and space communities. Hosted by the Space West regional cluster and supported by a cross-sector working group, the programme aims to strengthen collaboration and improve understanding of the threats facing the space domain. CGI is a member of this working group.

The programme engaged hundreds of stakeholders from government, industry, defence and academia to better understand where the UK's strengths lie and where barriers remain.

While the UK benefits from world-class expertise across both space and cyber security, the findings highlighted several common challenges:

• Fragmentation across organisations, governance structures and information-sharing mechanisms
• Limited coordination between academic research and operational needs
• Uneven awareness of space-cyber threats, particularly among smaller organisations
• Difficulties navigating available support, guidance and threat intelligence resources

Addressing these challenges will be critical to strengthening the long-term resilience of the UK space sector.

A roadmap for strengthening UK space resilience

One of the most significant recommendations emerging from the CySpace programme is the creation of a trusted, industry-led and government-supported focal point for space cyber security collaboration.

The proposed UK Space Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC) Watch Centre would provide a mechanism for trusted information sharing, threat awareness and coordination across the sector. Working alongside existing institutions and international partners, it would help organisations access relevant intelligence, share lessons learned and improve collective resilience.

The white paper also recommends:

Improving access to guidance and support

A central catalogue of available resources could make it easier for organisations to identify relevant cyber security guidance, funding opportunities and support mechanisms.

Strengthening research collaboration

Closer links between academia, industry and operational communities would help ensure research priorities align with emerging threats and real-world challenges.

Increasing threat awareness across the sector

Greater visibility of threats, vulnerabilities and best practices would help organisations make informed decisions about cyber security investment and risk management.

Taken together, these recommendations focus on improving coordination rather than creating additional complexity. They build on existing strengths across the UK ecosystem while helping organisations access the information and support they need more effectively.

Building resilience through partnership

Cyber security has always been a shared responsibility. In the space sector, that principle becomes even more important.

The interconnected nature of modern space systems means resilience depends on trusted relationships, effective communication and the ability to share information across organisational boundaries. No single organisation has a complete view of the threat environment, but together we can build a stronger understanding of risks and how to address them.

The CySpace programme demonstrates what can be achieved when experts from government, industry and academia work towards a common objective. Its recommendations provide a practical foundation for strengthening the UK's ability to protect the systems and services that increasingly underpin our daily lives.

As the programme moves forward, the opportunity now is to turn collaboration into action and continue building a more secure, resilient and connected UK space sector.

The CySpace Connected Capability Network white paper provides additional detail on the programme's findings and recommendations for strengthening UK space-cyber resilience.

Download the white paper to learn more

To learn more about CGI's space sector expertise and how we support secure, resilient and mission-critical space operations, visit our Space capabilities page.