April 28, 2022
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Representatives Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) introduced legislation to protect space systems, especially those that support critical infrastructure, from cyberattacks that threaten American national security and economic prosperity. The bipartisan Satellite Cybersecurity Act requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to develop a set of standards and recommendations that the commercial satellite industry can use to protect its networks. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the effectiveness of government efforts to strengthen cybersecurity for the commercial satellite industry, and to identify vulnerabilities that might place critical infrastructure at risk. Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are leading companion legislation, which recently advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Their companion bill, S. 3511, the “Satellite Cybersecurity Act” introduced on January 13, 2022, would require a report on Federal support to the cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems, and for other purposes, to include the development of commercial satellite system cybersecurity recommendations for (G) Management of supply chain risks that affect cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems.
“The Satellite Cybersecurity Act will enable CISA to fulfill its duty as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Communications Sector and work with private sector owners and operators to mitigate threats to U.S., Ukraine, and other international satellite communication networks.”