Cyber Attack In Space: Could It Lead To A Global Catastrophe?

Experts have recently warned that online hackers could soon pose a threat at a different level - space and that the consequences could be disastrous. London's independent policy institute Chatham House has reportedly warned about a global catastrophe due to the hacking of spacecraft and satellites. The researchers have suggested that a cyber attack in space could also mean terrorists getting their hands on weapons.

A majority of the world's infrastructure, such as defense, communications, and air transport, are based on space machinery.  Hacking into the system would mean an easy access to secret data by antisocial elements and terrorist organizations that could not only lead to its misuse, but the information can also be used to plan attacks on ground level.

According to the experts, one of the biggest challenges of preventing such a catastrophe from taking place is the evolving pace of technology. "Humans, too, are affected by digital ageing, and younger people use space-based and cyber communications in ways that make it difficult for older generations to fully understand the range of technologies and threats," said Patricia Lewis, Chatham House's research director of international security. However, the researchers also added that technology alone is not the only mean to prevent such threats or probable attacks.

At the moment, there are no global organizations that address the issue, and a counter plan to foil any cyber attacks in space needs international cooperation. Therefore, the experts suggest the creation of an international community comprising of able states and important organizations that belong to the insurance industry and international space supply chain.

As per Lewis, currently some work is in progress regarding the creation of such a system, and space agencies are giving a serious thought towards advanced protections for space infrastructure and safety. Furthermore, nations like China are looking at new types of measures like quantum entanglement, while new security measures have also been introduced at the European Galileo space navigational network. The threat of cyber security being breached is real and something that all countries could face, as per reports.