India’s Space Ecosystem Gets Cyber Shield as SIA-India, CERT-In Release Joint Guidelines

Space-based communication systems form the backbone of India’s digital and strategic architecture. From ensuring connectivity in remote and border regions to supporting national security operations, disaster response, navigation, broadcasting, and a wide spectrum of economic services, satellite communication networks are now indispensable to the country’s growth and resilience. Protecting this expanding ecosystem from evolving cyber threats has therefore become a national priority.

Recognising this imperative, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, in collaboration with Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India), has developed a comprehensive framework and guidelines for Space Cyber Security. The document was formally released during the DefSat Conference & Expo 2026 held in New Delhi from 24–26 February 2026.

A Unified Framework for a Critical Sector

The newly issued guidelines are advisory in nature but aim to significantly enhance cyber security preparedness across India’s space sector. Designed to serve the entire ecosystem — including government agencies, satellite operators, ground station providers, equipment manufacturers, supply chain partners, and emerging private space enterprises — the framework articulates core security principles, recommended safeguards, and clearly defined stakeholder responsibilities.

By establishing structured best practices and accountability mechanisms, the guidelines seek to embed resilience, proactive risk management, and a culture of security-by-design throughout India’s rapidly expanding space domain.

Strengthening National Cyber Resilience

Dr. Sanjay Bahl, Director General of CERT-In, underscored the strategic importance of securing space systems. He emphasized that satellite networks, ground infrastructure, and related supply chains are vital to India’s technological sovereignty and long-term economic growth. The framework adopts a comprehensive “defence in depth, breadth, and height” approach to protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats targeting space assets.

CERT-In, designated as India’s national agency for cyber incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, operates a 24×7 incident response help desk and provides prevention, response, and security quality management services across sectors. With space infrastructure emerging as critical national infrastructure, its inclusion under a structured cyber resilience model marks a significant policy evolution.

Public–Private Collaboration at the Core

Dr. Subba Rao Pavuluri, President of SIA-India, highlighted that public–private partnership and industry consultation are fundamental to strengthening cyber resilience. He noted that the joint guidelines represent a holistic and collaborative approach, integrating industry insights with CERT-In’s technical expertise to fortify India’s preparedness against emerging digital threats.

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Anil Prakash, Director General of SIA-India, stressed that cyber security must now evolve from being a technical afterthought to a central pillar of mission assurance in India’s growing space ecosystem. He pointed to the escalating cyber threat landscape — including over 1.5 million cyberattack attempts recorded during Operation Sindoor and a sharp surge in attacks targeting government networks — as evidence that critical infrastructure and private industry alike remain vulnerable.

Importantly, the framework is based on an adaptive model and will be periodically refined through structured industry consultations to remain responsive to technological advancements and evolving risks. For industry stakeholders, the message is clear: adopt secure-by-design architectures and align innovation with national security imperatives.

Building a Resilient Space Future

SIA-India, a non-profit body representing satellite operators, manufacturers, suppliers, startups, academic institutions, and law firms, continues to serve as a policy interface between government and industry while fostering international collaboration in the space domain.

The release of these guidelines signals a decisive step toward institutionalising cyber resilience across satellites, ground infrastructure, and supply chains. As India’s space economy expands — with growing private participation and strategic applications — safeguarding digital and orbital assets will be central to sustaining trust, continuity, and long-term growth.

The Space Cyber Security Guidelines are available on the official CERT-In website for stakeholders and industry participants seeking to align with the recommended framework.

The Guideline is available at:
https://www.cert-in.org.in/s2cMainServlet?pageid=GUIDLNVIEW02&refcode=CISG-2026-01

---

Source: PIB

---