Ensuring Integrity and Traceability of Data and its Sources in Space Applications along the Data Processing Chain

Abstract

Cybersecurity is vital for operation of space-based infrastructure, which is reflected in European legislation regarding information security and critical entities. Satellite data for commercial and governmental services is considered critical from a perspective of availability and integrity. Standards provide for secure communication and safeguarding the data, however a certain risk remains, as most space assets operate for up to decades, yet still without option for hardware upgrades, or even major software updates. This thesis provides a concept ensuring integrity and traceability of data and its sources along the processing chain. This end-to-end capability enables tracking also in processed data products, regardless of where the processing is performed: In orbit or on ground. An analysis covering major stages of the processing chain is performed, augmented by expert interviews in order to assess the current state-of-the-art. Requirements are derived and a concept is proposed, based on the interaction of different mechanism presented. As a proof-of-concept critical aspects of the concept are realized in a testbed, for better under�standing of the mechanisms but also to show the feasibility of these aspects.