Satellite Network Security
Project Overview
The study focuses on assessing communication security at multiple layers: signal integrity, protocol robustness, and susceptibility to adversarial manipulation. Empirical testing will be conducted using controlled experiments and field measurements to evaluate exposure to threats including jamming, spoofing, eavesdropping, and cyber intrusion.
Iridium SAT phones will be analyzed for encryption strength and susceptibility to interception; VSAT and BGAN terminals for authentication and traffic confidentiality; Starlink for resilience against large-scale denial-of-service attacks; and GNSS for vulnerabilities to spoofing and meaconing in civilian receivers.
Explore the Research
GNSS Security Analysis A Research Study on GNSS Security: Vulnerability Analysis, Threat Vectors, and Countermeasures for Safeguarding PNT Services Abstract: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), such as GPS, are essential for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services worldwide. They underpin critical sectors including aviation, maritime operations, telecommunications, energy distribution, and financial transactions. However, the widespread reliance on GNSS has made these systems an attractive target for malicious actors and exposed them to a growing set of vulnerabilities. This research project investigates the security challenges of GNSS, aiming to develop robust countermeasures to safeguard the integrity and availability of PNT services. The project begins with a systematic vulnerability analysis of GNSS signals and receiver systems. Threat vectors include intentional radio frequency interference, such as jamming that disrupts signal reception, and spoofing attacks where false satellite signals are crafted to mislead receivers. Additional concerns involve meaconing (delayed signal rebroadcast), cyber intrusions targeting GNSS-dependent networks, and vulnerabilities in low-cost commercial receivers that lack authentication mechanisms.