Topic 4
Cybersecurity: Protecting our space assets
2 October, 2024 at 15:00 - 17:00
Egmont Palace, Brussels
Space cybersecurity is an emerging field that addresses the protection of space assets and infrastructure from cyber threats. As satellites and space missions become increasingly vital to global communications, navigation, digitalization, and earth observation, ensuring their security is paramount. This topic explores the unique challenges and strategies in safeguarding space systems, emphasizing the importance of accurate data, methods for data validation, and preventing the falsification of data. By understanding these fundamentals, students and newcomers can appreciate the critical role of cybersecurity in maintaining the integrity, reliability, and functionality of space technologies in our interconnected world.
Speakers & Presentations
Raphael Tais
CyCom – Cyber Force Protection (Adj)- ESA-ESEC Liaison Officer
The Cyber Command and Space Collaboration
Vivien Croes
Space Business Unit Manager - SONACA
From LEO to cislunar space, SONACA is supplier at the forefront of a responsible and international space economy
Jesper Larsson
Cloud Engineer – Constellr
Clouds, Clusters & Constellations: Securing Space Data in the Modern Era
Jose Torres
Operations/Head of Cyber Security -Telespazio
Protecting Galileo Ground Segment
Speakers
From LEO to cislunar space, SONACA is supplier at the forefront of a responsible and international space economy
Vivien Croes
Space Business Unit Manager - SONACA
Dr. Vivien Croes is Space Business Unit Manager at SONACA. In this role Vivien oversees the space activities of SONACA Group, with teams in Belgium, Canada, Romania, and the USA. Vivien has an Environmental Sciences Degree from the Ecole Polytechnique, France, an MSc from the Technische Universität München, Germany. He also holds a PhD in Plasma Physics applied to Electric Space Propulsion from the Ecole Polytechnique, France, and an MBA from the Collège des Ingénieurs, France.
The Cyber Command and Space Collaboration
Raphael Tais
CyCom – Cyber Force Protection (Adj)- ESA-ESEC liaison officer
Raphaël Tais studied at the Royal Military Academy and became a CIS Officer, gaining extensive experience by leading operational deployments. Specializing in Satellite Communications, he eventually became the head of the Belgian Military Anchor Station. A few years ago, he joined Cyber Command, where he currently works in Cyber Force Protection. He also leverages his space expertise as a Liaison Officer between ESA-ESEC and the Cyber Command. The objective is to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance the security of or by the Space Domain.
Clouds, Clusters & Constellations: Securing Space Data in the Modern Era
Jesper Larsson
Cloud Engineer – Constellr
Jesper is a cloud engineer with a passion for space and technology. He holds a BSc in Engineering Physics and a MSc in Aerospace Engineering, both from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. His professional background lies in the renewable energy and automotive sectors, where he was involved in the domains of software development and data engineering. In his current role he leads the cloud efforts at the space startup Constellr.
Protecting Galileo Ground Segment
Jose Torres
Operations/Head of Cyber Security -Telespazio
José María is a Software Engineer and Project Manager with more than 17 years of experience in the aerospace domain, mostly in the industry but also in ESA/ESTEC. Since 2013, José María is a Project Manager in Telespazio Belgium and since 2018, he has been the project manager of different Cybersecurity focused projects in the space domain. These projects include sMMGS, a study for the definition of a secure Multi-Mission Ground Station or CyTEF, a cyber-security test facility for drones. Since 2024, he is Head of the TPZB Cybersecurity Programmes, and he is also Cybersecurity Manager for the Remote Sites in the scope of the Galileo GSOp activities.
Chair & Co-Chair
Chair: Sabri Mekaoui
Sabri is a Policy Officer at the Security and Defence Policy Directorate of the European External Action Service, the diplomatic service of the European Union. In his previous role at the European Commission, Sabri has contributed to the development of international partnership strategies in the areas of climate change, digitalization, space, and science, technology, and innovation (STI) in West Africa.
Co-Chair: Katrien Kolenberg
Katrien Kolenberg is Professor of Astrophysics at the University of
Antwerp and the VUB, as well as Professor of Science Communication &
Outreach and and national manager of the Belgian ESERO (European Space
Education Resource Office) at the KU Leuven. Her research lies in the
field of stellar astrophysics, particularly variable stars and
asteroseismology. Katrien is passionate about scientific research, art,
astronomy for development, and innovative/artistic science communication
and education worldwide. She has received international awards for both
scientific accomplishments and science communication.