The growing threat and sophistication of cyberthreats underscores...

The growing threat and sophistication of cyberthreats underscores the need for more security efforts to protect satellite networks, said Intelsat executives. Cyberthreats are state of the art, the environment is dynamic and the threat level has evolved a lot, said Chief Technology Officer Thierry Guillemin. The attacks have become more complex, more pervasive and better funded, he said Monday night at the Satellite 2014 conference in Washington. “You get to a point where you have to have a team of people to keep aware of what’s been happening.” It’s important for operators to engage in network security, he said. Satellite networks are different from terrestrial networks in terms of protection and vulnerability, he said. Satellite systems can be susceptible to jamming, Guillemin said. “A satellite operator sells more end-to-end services and operates hybrid networks.” When operating in the space and terrestrial arenas, satellite systems can be vulnerable to terrestrial threats, too, he said. The consumer wants information immediately, “which adds complications from a security standpoint,” Guillemin said. It’s important to know the posture of partners working with the satellite operator, said Vinit Duggal, Intelsat chief information security officer. To ensure integrity of the network, customers must use encryption, and having visibility mechanisms on the network is important, he said. Communication and operations management are key to ensuring protection, he said. This involves customers, partners and vendors, he said. Intelsat engages in compliance and validation by testing networks internally and also by obtaining third-party assessment, Duggal said. He urged companies to be aware of threats that could evolve with IPv6. IPv6 “expands the canvas” for attackers to operate, and the mobile space adds to that, he said.