SC Media: Congress wants to study the cybersecurity of satellites after Viasat hack

Two members of the House have brought forth legislation that would press federal agencies to revisit what policies and programs are in place to help U.S. satellite owners and operators defend against hacks to their systems and assets.

The bill, introduced Friday, would charge the U.S. comptroller general to spend the next two years studying the federal government’s existing cybersecurity support to satellite owners and operators, as well as what more can be done.

That includes looking at where federally owned or operated IT infrastructure may intersect with or depend on commercial satellite networks (like the Global Positioning System) remaining operational and what plans or programs agencies have in place to prevent those hacks or help satellite owners recover quickly. Under the bill, the comptroller general would coordinate the study with the departments of Homeland Security and Defense, the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration...

...“Last month, reports indicated Russia was likely responsible for a cyberattack on a U.S. satellite communications provider that disrupted Ukraine’s military communications during a pivotal time in the war. As is the case with most U.S. critical infrastructure, the majority of satellites in orbit are operated by the private sector,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y. “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.”