Enhancing Satellite Security and Remote Comms with RBAC and Zero Trust Solutions

Boundless Data and Quick Processing Streamline Operations in Space

Satellites are the backbone of communication, powering everything from cell service to environmental monitoring and meteorology. As such, they generate vast amounts of data, including telemetry, sensor, and imagery data.

All of this data needs to be processed and analyzed in near real-time to identify potential issues, optimize performance, and deliver information successfully to users across the globe. With data at the Edge, satellite operators can now deploy computing resources closer to the source, like on a satellite or at a trusted ground station.

Safeguarding Against Incidents with Role-Based Access Control

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is a security mechanism that restricts access to resources based on a user's role within an organization. This means users are granted access based on their job, clearance level, and need-to-know rather than simply their identity. For example, an administrator may be granted access to sensitive data others are not able to see. RBAC also allows for efficient rights management, as permissions can easily be assigned or revoked.

Advantages of RBAC

RBAC offers numerous advantages, but its role in safeguarding the United States' entire satellite communications portfolio cannot be overstated.

By implementing RBAC, government agencies can enforce strict controls, granting only authorized users access to satellite systems and their data. This prevents unauthorized users, potential threats, or malicious actors from compromising security—which, in a worst case, could result in a complete communication breakdown for millions. Just imagine everyone in North America losing cell service in a single second!

Introducing the Ability to Easily Audit

RBAC also enhances accountability and auditing capabilities. Each user’s action can be logged and traced, providing a comprehensive trail for forensic investigations, compliance requirements, or internal reviews. Government agencies can then monitor and analyze access patterns, detect potential anomalies or security breaches, and take swift action.

RBAC + Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)

In our last blog about satellites, we took a deep dive into Zero Trust (“The Benefits of Satellites and Sensors for Remote Capabilities”). Combining Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and RBAC results in a powerful security framework. ZTA ensures only authorized users and devices—like satellites—can access a network, while RBAC ensures users can access only the resources and data they need to perform their jobs.

Secure Communications in Contested Environments

Space Force’s Defense Satellite’s Communication Systems (“DSCS”) mission is to send long-haul communications worldwide through both clear and contested environments. To make informed decisions, commanders need satellites that can validate data coming back to Earth.

The U.S. military relies heavily on technology to communicate, conduct operations, and store sensitive data, which naturally makes it a target for cyber attacks. This is another reason why Zero Trust is so important, especially in contested environments, where different groups compete for control over an area, resource, or domain. The military also has unique security challenges, like the need to share data from satellites and sensors with coalition partners. The Zero Trust model can address these challenges by enabling granular access controls, continuous monitoring, real-time threat detection, and response.

Protecting Data With Secure Mobile Apps

Smartphones and tablets are increasingly used for various applications, including satellite operations and astronaut communications. However, these devices can also be vulnerable to cyber threats.

To mitigate this, end-to-end encryption, secure authentication, and controls on mobile devices ensure only authorized users can access sensitive data.

Safeguarding Communication Paths with Anchorage

Monkton Anchorage, our patented technology, establishes a secure communication path for everything from industrial IoT sensors to war fighters in disconnected, Edge-based environments. It enables non-repudiation of IoT, mobile, and Edge computing devices, which aligns with Zero Trust.

Authentication: Verifies the identity of a user or process.
Authentication factors can be classified into three groups:

Authorization: Specifies access rights/privileges to resources

Applying Methodologies for an Event-Driven Architecture

Monkton's methodologies are designed for government stakeholders—meaning all Department of Defense agencies—and offer near real-time data access and event-based notifications. Customers gain the ability to make well-informed decisions and promptly respond to changes through secure communications.

Adopting the Functions as a Service (FaaS) and Platforms as a Service (PaaS) development approach, bolstered by Edge Computing, empowers mission owners to implement an Event-Driven Architecture (EDA).

An EDA, like Apple's Push Notification Services (APNS) or Google's Cloud Messaging, allows end systems, such as phones, computers, and cloud infrastructures, to receive relevant notifications. This scalable approach, facilitated by the service provider (e.g. Apple or Google), enables real-time event notifications.

Establishing Security from the Ground Up

Monkton starts each project with a Cloud Based Edge Capable (CBEC) architecture, ensuring rapid deployment of mission-specific capabilities. We establish the foundation for Edge-based functionalities, such as advanced data analytics achievable through technologies like machine learning (ML). We use advanced technologies offered by Amazon Web Services GovCloud (AWS GovCloud) and apply the Department of Defense DevSecOps Playbook Reference Architecture (DSOP RA) to expedite development and delivery.

This means customers benefit from cutting-edge technologies while adhering to strict security and compliance standards. Additionally, the implementation of DSOP RA guarantees rapid development cycles, secure deployments, and continuous integration and delivery–tailored to each agency’s unique needs.

How Monkton Secures Satellite Operations and Communications

Mission success is linked to a proactive foundational data architecture. By building with digital engineering and machine learning in mind, Monkton bypasses DoD challenges by rationalizing legacy datasets, engineering processes, and accelerating digital modernization.

Assets like satellites—if leveraged properly—offer unparalleled transparency and prediction for space domain awareness. They can also ensure the availability of assets and significantly improve readiness. These core capabilities are the building blocks of Initial Operating Capabilities (“IOC”).

IOC capabilities can:

Empower customers with the ability to view scheduled maintenance and inspection dashboards
Enable real-time updates via event-based architecture
Provide role-based access control to ensure only those with the need to know, know
Allow customers to request modifications to maintenance schedules, like deferment
Create the ability to review requests and integrate them into scheduling decisions
Integrate Zero Trust Architecture in line with EO 14028
Lay the groundwork and research to integrate OPS scheduling to drive future capabilities and predictive maintenance

Join Monkton and discover how this integration can enhance security, drive modernization, and solidify trust in rapidly evolving landscapes.