Registration closes on 25 September 2023 at 5:00pm EDT

Online via WebEx

CEU Credits: 0.3 CEUs

Course Description

There is a rejuvenated interest in satellite communications and networking. Both the satellite and cellular (3GPP) industries aim at developing a seamlessly integrated single network with both terrestrial and satellite components. Networking is one of the main differences between the legacy satellite systems and the mega-constellations of the 6G era (next-generation). The next-generation of satellite networks are expected to have very high-speed inter-satellite links. For efficient operation, the network will have to be autonomous, intelligent, resilient, self-organizing & self-controlling as much as possible to reduce the cost and risk of human intervention in such a hostile operating environment. Hence the security of the satellite networks, which will be integrated to the terrestrial networks will be of utmost importance. However, these novel networks have been largely overlooked by the systems security community. In this one-of-a-kind course, the instructors will take participants on an exploration of the security of the networking aspects of integrated terrestrial networks, which is still under development by the research community. 

In this course, the instructors will begin with a discussion on the fundamental components of LEO mega-constellations. This will be followed by the 6G vision which targets the integration of satellite mega-constellations with terrestrial networks. The emerging threat landscape for this network evolution fueled by the presence of LEO mega-constellations will then be described. Next a vulnerability classification will be presented, along with some attack examples. Three main vulnerability classes will be considered, these are: payload and inter-satellite link vulnerabilities; ground station/terrestrial network interconnection vulnerabilities; and signal vulnerabilities. The leading countermeasures will be discussed as a remedy to the presented attack types. Two practical applications that focus on signal vulnerabilities will be detailed. The first attack type is eavesdropping, where physical layer countermeasures and suitable authentication solutions will be studied. The second practical application will focus on jamming attacks targeting both the satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite links. The course will conclude with an overview and a short discussion on the open issues.

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Student Discount
ComSoc Student Members use promo code STUDENT23 during checkout to save 15% on your registration fee.*
*This promotion is only available to student members and cannot be combined with other course promotions or discounts.

Who Should Attend

The course is intended for those working for innovative space companies, telecommunication equipment vendors, and telecommunication service providers. Engineering professionals working on the integration of satellites as a non-terrestrial networking platform and technical experts and R&D team members will be interested in this course.

Instruction Level:  Intermediate

Learning Objectives

After this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the main operational characteristics of satellite mega-constellations and their envisioned integration with terrestrial networks towards 6G
• Categorize the emerging threats in satellite mega-constellations and High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS)
• Identify the vulnerabilities in Payload and Inter-Satellite Links; Ground station/Terrestrial Network Interconnection; Signal Transmissions
• Suggest countermeasures to the identified vulnerabilities
• Articulate on the practical application examples targeting eavesdropping and jamming attacks
• Understand the open issues to achieve secure satellite networks
• Understand the emerging international standards, along with the policies and spectrum regulation across nations

Course Content

The following topics will be covered:

Course Materials

Each registered participant receives a copy of instructor slides and access to the recording of the course for 20 business days after the live lecture. Earn 0.3 IEEE Continuing Education Units for participating.

Upon registration, you will automatically be emailed the WebEx invitation for the course session, but you will also be sent a reminder message to join the WebEx session prior to the start of the course. Course materials will be emailed to you and will be available for download from the WebEx session page for this course, the day prior to the scheduled course date.

Course Cancellation and Refund Policy: Requests for online course cancellations must be received 3 business days prior to the course date for a full refund. Once course materials have been shared with a participant, a cancellation request cannot be accommodated.

Contact Us

For general inquiries and technical support, contact Tara McNally, Educational Services Sr Program Manager.

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