Outer space and cyberspace have something in common, they are both new frontiers for national security. This confuses what has been traditional ideas of defense strategy, borders, and sovereignty. These two areas are national critical infrastructure and are essential for any country to be secure and able to defend itself. This ‘use’ means cyber and space can both be utilized for civilian and military purposes.
As a political and legal concept, sovereignty defines as a country’s authority to control issues in its jurisdiction, such as passing and enforcing laws. Historically, geography determined the extent of a country's jurisdiction. Outer space and cyber spaces do not have border limitations like traditional geographical territorial spaces. Within sovereignty is the power to hand over some ‘sovereign’ rights, like countries agreeing to reduce their actions for international cooperation on national security and human rights matters.[1]
Outer space and cyberspace enhance a country’s defense and the capabilities of its national security. Countries remain vulnerable due to the overdependence on continuous access. While both ‘spaces’ can bring unity and a shared vision for humanity, they are also a source of discord and tension between countries and can be misused in conducting wars. We are on the doorsteps of these spaces.
The world now depends so much on the Internet, which has affected efforts to make cybersecurity safer and more accessible. There is usually a new threat for every solution, creating vulnerabilities for the country’s national security and defense. While most experts agree that international laws apply to cyber activities too, there are issues over how they can be enforced. This includes rogue nation states?
This has led to debates about the cyber activities of militaries and what is considered peaceful or acceptable, or the ones that are prohibited and may lead to war.
The differences between permitted cyber operations and those carried out in preparations for disruptive operations will continue to challenge the entire World. They involve both the unauthorized use of computer networks and systems in another country.
Now enter an even more major challenges: outer space, planets and space travel. Sounds almost like a Star Trek episode beginning. The possible weaponization and militarization of outer space is a significant challenge for all countries’ national defense and security. The laws governing outer space prevent celestial bodies from being used for any other peaceful purposes and forbid mass destructive weapons from being placed in outer space. Countries have liabilities and responsibilities set on them by treaties. Governments must promote responsible use of outer space and to minimize the possibility of starting conflicts. Again, think about rogue states and enemies of the “Free World.”
There were opinions when space travel became a reality and many nations agreed to using outer space peacefully. It was a good plan, defining that it can only be used for non-military activities. “One small step for man, one giant leap for Mankind.” Then the US planted a US flag on the Moon. Maybe not on the Moon, but the reality of the space situation is that countries have been using outer space to carry out terrestrial military activities, including commercial warfare, and this will only continue to happen.
The Gulf War in 1991 is commonly regarded as the first space war. It is evident now that satellite technology has become a big part of the modern-day military strategy for many countries.
Currently, there are about 80 countries with some level of capability for sovereign space, such as the ability to launch and operate their satellites independently. This translates to nearly two-thirds of the World lack any form of national space capabilities. These countries wholly depend on other countries to access space and space infrastructure. They cannot leverage space technology for their development, and their well-being depends on geopolitical and strategic understandings and networks.
Even countries like Australia, a vital space ally and member of the “5 Eyes” consortium have limited sovereign capabilities for earth observations, space launches, GPS, and other crucial activities. It is not economically feasible for even 1st World countries to depend on other countries entirely in ‘all’ aspects of space. Therefore, many have developed a twin policy that ensures space access through strategic alliances with other carefully selected spacefaring countries. At the same time, they build their ‘sovereign’ space capabilities further in these specific areas. Governments understand this is crucial to its national defense and security interests.
A 2019 report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) ranking the cyber power of certain countries suggested that the national agencies of these countries are going to become more cyber-focused. The IISS is a British research institute in the area international affairs. This report also had substantial evidence to show that cyber capabilities and policies have taken the center stage of international security.
For the US, cyberspace dominance has been a strategic goal since the 1990s. It already has a massive global footprint in the military and civil use of cyberspace. It is now being threatened by both Russia and China and allies thereof.
Countries must address the intersection between outer space and cyberspace for their security and defense policies. These domains have participants from both military and civilian acts, and more possibilities are multiplying. Understanding the close intersection between outer space and cybersecurity technology puts the country in the best position for an integrated and effective national defense and security.
Red Sky Alliance is a Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Service organization. For questions, comments or assistance, please contact the office directly at 1-844-492-7225, or feedback@wapacklabs.com
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[1] https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/cyberspace-and-outer-space-are-new-frontiers-for-national-security-5879.html
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