Microsoft Joins Space ISAC To Support Cybersecurity Intelligence

Today the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) welcomed its newest member, Microsoft, with a highlight on the tech giant’s cyber security expertise and achievements. The objective of this partnership looks at advancing the protection of space-based critical assets vital to government agencies and the global economy. Microsoft has continue to expand its position in the space sector largely through partnerships like this. In 2020, Microsoft announced Azure Orbital to link satellite networks with the Azure cloud. Microsoft also has revealed various partnerships with Amergint Technologies, Kratos, KSAT, Kubos, SES, Thales Alenia Space, U.S. Electrodynamics and ViaSat. This announcement comes shortly after Microsoft makes the news on its newest operating system – Windows 11

Space ISAC is a non-profit organization, founded in 2019 to discuss concerns around the cybersecurity sector and more. The Space ISAC is known to constantly share information on various threats to space systems and the ground networks supporting them. Much of the attention of Space ISAC lately, has focused on cybersecurity.

The space community is rapidly growing, and innovation is lowering the barriers of access for both public and private organizations. Space connectivity and compute is becoming progressively more attainable across industries including agriculture, energy, telecommunications and government. Like other increasingly digital infrastructures, satellites and other space-based assets can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Annually it’s recorded that Microsoft invests over $1 billion dollars in the cybersecurity sector with a team of more than 3,500 security analysts, researchers, responders, engineers and data scientists in 77 countries. Bill Chappell, VP- Mission Systems at Microsoft is expected to represent Microsoft on the Space ISAC Board of Directors. Microsoft is joining the Space ISAC as a founding member alongside other like the Aerospace Corp, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Booz Allen Hamilton, MITRE, SES, Lockheed Martin, Parsons Corp., Purdue University, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory and Northrop Grumman. This level of investment and expertise will help support the mission of the Space ISAC and enhance the space community’s ability to detect threats, bolster protections and develop defense strategies.

Microsoft is known to provide world-class threat detection technologies including those built into Azure, Windows and Microsoft 365, and will be exploring ways to apply these solutions toward protecting space systems. Microsoft promises to continue to build cloud capabilities tailored to meet diverse unique needs of space – connectivity solutions, emulating space missions, discovering insights from satellite data and fuelling innovation both on the ground and in orbit.