Darmstadt: Space agency Esa fights cyberattacks with new center

Transport companies, businesses, hospitals, municipalities, and universities are being crippled by cybercriminals. The European Space Agency (ESA) is also repeatedly hit by such attacks. With a new cybersecurity center, it aims to protect itself against such attacks throughout Europe. "The competition against cybercriminals is like an arms race," said ESA Director of Operations Rolf Densing at the presentation of the Cyber ​​Security Operations Center at ESA's control center in Darmstadt.

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The new center is intended to ensure the protection of 28 satellites, ground stations, and control systems from external influences. "The nightmare would be if someone took unauthorized control of our satellites," said Densing.

"Cybersecurity is not new territory for us," explained central project manager Markus Rückert. The new center has been in development for five years, with a total cost of approximately €26 million through the end of 2026. They need to see how attackers change their focus. "As of today, we are well protected." But they must also be well prepared for the future. For security reasons, there are two locations, in Darmstadt and Belgium.

In a room with around 20 workstations in Darmstadt, a large monitor illuminates multicolored warnings of potential attacks. An overall situation report can show attacks in real time on a world map, along with the volume of potential attacks and the type of attacks. According to Octave Procope-Mamert of ESA, the new center can monitor 42 billion potentially security-relevant events per month. If potential incidents are detected, the center raises an alarm. Experts review the warnings, and measures can be taken. An increase in these events is usually seen before satellite or rocket launches.

The center was developed in collaboration with an industrial consortium. Space infrastructure is becoming an increasingly integral part of the European economy and society. According to ESA, attacks can target companies, energy grids, financial markets, or supply chains, which are increasingly dependent on satellites and space-based services.

According to Rückert, the center is just one building block in the defense against attacks. "It's still under development." This further development of cybersecurity at ESA is an existential issue for Densing. "We live from the trust of our customers," he said. "The day we lose control of one of our satellites, we lose that trust."

RND/dpa