Estonian cybersecurity company CybExer Technologies will lead a ten-company European consortium developing tests for the security of satellite communications under a contract with the European Space Agency.
The work will assess how the full communications chain responds to interference and cyberattacks before systems enter service, according to Enterprise Estonia’s announcement on 18 September. It is part of ESA’s Low-LEO activities connected to the future EU secure-connectivity network IRIS². CybExer is the prime contractor; the nine other companies are based in Estonia, Finland, Greece and Italy.
CybExer tests the entire satellite link
The project will build a controlled environment in which teams can test the satellite link alongside ground infrastructure and end-user systems. The aim is to identify weaknesses and assess ways to reduce risk before equipment is deployed. One planned scenario involves a drone: a disrupted satellite link would allow testers to examine the effects on the aircraft, its ground-control systems, and the operator’s ability to recognise the problem and restore operations.
“Once technology has been sent into orbit, finding potential weaknesses and especially fixing them becomes much more difficult,” said Kristiina Omri, CybExer’s head of special programmes, in the Enterprise Estonia announcement. She said security testing must cover each part of the connection, from the spacecraft to ground systems and the final user.
Estonia’s work in space cybersecurity already includes testing cyber defences for space infrastructure. CybExer has worked on several ESA space-cybersecurity projects, including the Space Cyber Range, a simulation and exercise environment for space systems. The company’s cyber-range technology is used in more than 60 countries, Enterprise Estonia said.
ESA work feeds into IRIS² development
IRIS², led by the European Commission, is planned as a secure satellite network for government and commercial users. Its main constellation is supposed to have 348 satellites, and the 12-year concession contract is valued at €15.6bn.
The CybExer assignment belongs to ESA’s Low-LEO pre-operational and risk-reduction activities. These explore possible new government services and use cases; whether any resulting capability is added to the operational IRIS² system depends on its readiness and subsequent programme decisions. ESA is responsible for qualifying and validating the programme’s governmental infrastructure on the Commission’s behalf.
Consortium brings four countries together
The project formally began on 17 September at ESA’s European Space Astronomy Centre in Madrid. Alongside CybExer, the consortium comprises CGI Estonia, CR14, DamoTech, Hellas Sat, KrattWorks, M3S Italia, Magister Solutions, Rantelon and Spaceit, most of which are actively operating in the defence technology sector. It combines satellite, communications, and cybersecurity specialists for work aimed at users whose links must remain available during disruptions, including government bodies and critical infrastructure operators.
ESA’s director of resilience, navigation and connectivity, Laurent Jaffart, said the agency is working with the European Commission and industry through Low-LEO activities to explore future IRIS² capabilities.
Are you interested in trading with Estonia? Enterprise Estonia is providing sourcing services for foreign enterprises. Contact Estonian export advisors or use our free e-consulting service to start trade with Estonia.