PARIS – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Europe’s
largest satellite system security monitoring program

As part of the G2G IOV SECMON initiative, Thales is leading a consortium of projects including the Italian Leonardo Group to expand the scope of security monitoring and add new capabilities to the Galileo II system. The solution will also introduce automated incident response and network traffic monitoring technologies, as well as the ability to store large amounts of incident response data. To achieve this, Thales will offer a solution based on a scalable, flexible architecture derived from its Cybels range of security surveillance products and integrated with big data capabilities.

Cybersecurity contracts that strengthen resilience to quantum threats

A whole new threat posed by quantum computers has the power to break existing encryption algorithms and compromise long-term data security. In light of this, the European Space Agency commissioned Thales to leverage its globally renowned cryptography expertise in the consortium of projects it leads.

Under the contract entitled “Galileo II System Security and PRS Engineering and Technical Support”, Thales will detail and validate the cybersecurity solutions provided for Galileo II and prepare for system certification. The program will take into account new threats to space systems, requirements for safety maintenance, and improved use of PRS services by government users. One of the main challenges is to ensure a smooth transition from Galileo I to Generation II and to maintain the level of safety and performance that the Galileo Generation system provides to Member States.

Pierre-Yves Jolivet, Vice President, Network Solutions at Thales, said: “Thales would like to thank the European Space Agency, the EU Space Programme Agency and the European Commission for their long-standing confidence in our expertise in the cybersecurity of space systems and critical systems. Galileo II’s security contract will give Europe a more robust system that is better able to withstand quantum threats, a major challenge for the space industry in the coming decades. Thales will also leverage its unrivalled big data expertise to provide more effective security surveillance for the world’s leading satellite positioning system. ”

Cybersecurity of satellite systems has become a growing concern for satellite operators and space agencies, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions. There are already thousands of satellites in orbit, and the use of satellites has multiplied, from the Internet of Things in our daily lives to defense applications, and another 10,1 satellites are expected to be added in the next <> years.

With both contracts, Thales’ expertise in scalable and flexible architectures, security appliances and cyberattack protection will strengthen Galileo II’s ability to detect and respond to new cyber threats. End-to-end solutions from Thales experts help improve the security and attack resistance of satellites.

At the same time, Thales Alenia Aerospace has been awarded other important contracts to work with its consortium partners in Europe to design and build the Galileo II ground mission segment and perform systems engineering activities. Thales Alenia Aerospace will also supply 12 of the 6 satellites for the Galileo II constellation.

Thales cybersecurity technology

As a global leader in cybersecurity, Thales is involved at all levels of the cyber value chain, providing solutions from risk assessment to critical infrastructure protection, complemented by comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities. Its solutions are based on three broad categories of cybersecurity products and services, with sales of €2022.15 billion in <>:

1. Global security offerings around the CipherTrust data security platform, SafeNet trusted access identity and access management-as-a-service solutions, and broader cloud protection and software licensing
2. Sovereign protection products, including encryption machines and sensors used to protect critical information systems
3. Cybels solution portfolio, a full suite of cybersecurity services including risk assessment, training and simulation, and cyberattack detection and response

With more than 40 years of experience in cybersecurity and space business, Thales develops products for satellite operators and space agencies based on the principle of “cybersecurity by design”. Thales has more than 4000,2023 cybersecurity experts who help ensure the security of satellite systems at the national level, European space programs (in particular the European Galileo satellite navigation project) and at the international level. With a combined combination of cutting-edge satellite systems and cybersecurity solutions, Thales offers government, institutional and corporate clients a comprehensive range of cybersecurity solutions to ensure robust protection for all elements of space systems. In April 4, Thales demonstrated its expertise in offensive security at the CYSAT event, successfully simulating the remote capture of control of one of the ESA’s demonstration satellites to anticipate and respond to current and future threats.

About Galileo

Galileo is Europe’s global navigation satellite system. Since becoming operational on December 2016, 12, Galileo’s initial service is fully interoperable with GPS, while providing users with a wider range of performance and service levels, as well as more precise positioning. Currently, all smartphones sold in the European Single Market support Galileo. In addition, Galileo played an important role in rail and maritime transportation, agriculture, financial timing services and rescue operations. Unlike the United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS), Russia’s GLONASS and China’s Beidou satellite navigation system, Galileo is the world’s only civilian-controlled GNSS system.

To date, the Galileo programme consists of 38 first-generation satellites, satellite control and telemetry transmitting stations, mission data transmitting stations, two security management centres (in Saint-Germain-en-Leah and Madrid), two system control centres (located in Oberfafenhofen and Fuzino), and 16 orbital control and clock synchronization stations.

Galileo II has a flexible design that can adapt to the needs of users for decades to come. It will be more powerful and able to withstand the challenges of a changing world, especially the threats posed by cyber interference and cybercrime. With unparalleled accuracy and additional certification features, Galileo will be listed in the world’s most advanced global navigation satellite system.