A Customized Approach to Cybersecurity Education for Space Professionals

Much of the world's critical infrastructure is dependent on space-based assets to function. Space and cybersecurity personnel in the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF) are responsible for protecting and securing Department of Defense (DoD) satellites, data links, and ground segments from cyber-attacks and threats. However, these space professionals receive minimal cybersecurity education to assist in the designing, developing, operating, and decommissioning of satellites. This cybersecurity education is insufficient for safeguarding space-based assets against the growing numbers of cyber-attacks and threats. As a result, the DoD needs more space professionals with comprehensive cybersecurity education and experience. After identifying the shortcomings in the current cybersecurity education, we explore how to restructure the current cybersecurity education to be more relevant to the space domain. Finally, we propose a customized approach to cybersecurity education that leverages personalized and hands-on learning. While cyber threats and attacks will continue to exist, the DoD has a chance to increase cybersecurity education for space workers in a way that has a significant impact on how we operate.