SpiderOak, a leader in zero-trust cybersecurity and resiliency software for space systems, is excited to announce the successful achievement of flight heritage through the deployment and demonstration of its OrbitSecure platform in space. SpiderOak conducted rigorous testing of its end-to-end data security solution on a Ball Aerospace prototype payload currently operational in low-Earth orbit (LEO).
“Successfully operating any military system in an operationally relevant environment is always a big milestone. In the unforgiving environment of space, there is no stronger validation that a system is ready for deployment,” stated retired four-star U.S. Air Force General and member of SpiderOak’s Space Advisory Board Ellen Pawlikowski. “I am thrilled with SpiderOak’s achievement!”
The payload incorporates Ball Aerospace’s Open Software System (BOSS) framework, supporting containerized applications that can be modified on-orbit, as well as real-time data processing functions. Through close collaboration between SpiderOak and Ball Aerospace teams, the OrbitSecure technology was seamlessly deployed to and integrated into the Ball hosted payload while on orbit, demonstrating that data level zero-trust can be achieved on deployed systems despite the size, weight, and power limitations in space.
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“This successful demonstration completes a major milestone in advancing OrbitSecure as the satellite operator’s choice for data security and resiliency in space,” stated Dave Pearah, CEO of SpiderOak. “While other cyber solutions have only been demonstrated terrestrially, this achievement with Ball Aerospace proves our unique COTS (commercial off the shelf) software works equally well on orbit as it has on the ground for many years.”
“The Space Force has openly acknowledged the ever-expanding cyber threats targeting space assets,” said, Jake Sauer, vice president and chief technologist, Ball Aerospace. “This successful demonstration of SpiderOak‘s OrbitSecure technology onboard Ball’s hosted payload, which launched earlier this year, is a step towards fortifying the resilience of our space ecosystem.”
Taking zero-trust security to zero-gravity environments, OrbitSecure leverages a unique combination of no-knowledge encryption and distributed-ledger software to meet the unique demands of cybersecurity in space. OrbitSecure overcomes the constraints of traditional hardware-based protections utilizing a new, fully decentralized key management system allowing for full availability and continued operations in space despite disconnected or highly contested networks.
SOURCE: PRNewswire